Underrated southern city with a rich history named safest spot to retire in – and homes are affordable too

An underrated Southern city has been named the safest place for Americans to spend their later years.

Augusta, Georgia, which sits on the Savannah River near the South Carolina border, has a lower crime rate than other cities of the same size.

The city, birthplace of soul singer James Brown and home to the Masters golf tournament, also boasts an affordable housing market for retirees on fixed incomes.

According to research, the average home in Augusta costs $199,500 Realtor.comwhich is considerably lower than the national average.

To determine the safest cities for retirees, the analysis US News & World Report looked at the FBI’s most recent crime reports.

It showed that Augusta had a ‘crime index’ rating of 9.5 out of 10, with 10 being the best and 1 being the worst.

Violent and property crime rates in the city, Georgia’s second-oldest and second-largest, were also lower than the national average.

Augusta is also becoming a destination for retirees who want warm weather and a low cost of living, the analysis shows.

Augusta has a ‘crime index’ rating of 9.5 out of 10, with 10 being the best and 1 being the worst

Augusta was founded along the Savannah River in the early 18th century and played a crucial role in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.

In fact, Augusta was the state capital for a decade in the late 1700s, and it’s where James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul,” grew up.

Most out-of-towners also recognize Augusta as the home of the world-famous Masters golf tournament.

Augusta is also home to a thriving culinary scene, and according to U.S. News & World Report, residents show a deep appreciation for the arts and the outdoors.

For many retirees, safety is high on the list when considering where to settle, as well as the available local activities or the cost of living.

“When looking for a place to live, safety is at the top of my list,” Kathryn Ellen Barrett, 62, of Ridgeland, Mississippi, told Realtor.com.

“My life involves a lot of outdoor activities, like jogging and walking my dog ​​– and it’s crucial that I’m safe,” she said.

Augusta was founded along the Savannah River in the early 18th century and played a crucial role in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars

Augusta, Georgia, is also known as the birthplace of singer James Brown

The city is home to the Masters golf tournament (photo: Grayson Murray competing in April)

In addition to Augusta, the outlet also named the other safest cities for boomers to retire — many of which are also in the South.

Second on the list was Montgomery, Alabama.

Like Augusta, the city also has a median home price well below the national average: $199,900.

Third on the list was South Bend, Indiana, followed by the two Florida cities of Pensacola and Port St. Lucie.

Sixth on the list was the Puerto Rican capital San Juan, followed by Des Moines, Iowa, Jackson, Mississippi, Melbourne, Florida and Lakeland, Florida.

It comes after a separate study named Oro Valley, Arizona, the safest retirement city specifically for wealthy Americans.

The analysis identified every U.S. city where at least 25 percent of the population is 65 or older, and then took into account several categories, including median retirement income and the percentage of households with retirement income.

Experts also took into account rates of violence and property crime per 1,000 residents, analyzing average home values ​​as of September 2024.

In addition to Oro Valley, these other Arizona cities also made the list: Prescott, Prescott Valley, Lake Havasu City, Scottsdale, Apache Junction and Bullhead City.