Waynesboro is a small town of 5,720 in Georgia, with a median household income of $41,932
and a 4.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Waynesboro stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index. Whether Waynesboro is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Waynesboro city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 91.0
Waynesboro's overall cost of living index is 91.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Waynesboro costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Waynesboro, GA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$121,900
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$724
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
39.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$41,932
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
Waynesboro's violent crime rate is 842.9 per 100,000 residents
— 122% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
842.9 /100k
Property Crime
2708.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Waynesboro is served primarily by Burke County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.6:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Waynesboro, GA
National Avg
School District
Burke County
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
16.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
89.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Waynesboro sees average highs of 57.9°F in January
and 91.9°F in July,
with 48.2 inches of annual precipitation
.
Waynesboro's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Waynesboro roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $121,900 and median rent is $724/month.
Waynesboro's violent crime rate is 842.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2708.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Waynesboro are operated by Burke County.
The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.6:1. 16.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Waynesboro, GA has a population of 5,720, a median household income of $41,932, and an unemployment rate of 4.8%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Waynesboro averages 57.9°F in January and 91.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 48.2 inches
.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Waynesboro, GA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 30830.
The population of Waynesboro, Georgia is 5,720 with a median age of 30.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Waynesboro: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $121,900, median household income $41,932, crime index 185 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Waynesboro side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
