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City Housing Verdict

Austell, GA

Stretch

The cost of living in Austell, GA is 3% above the national average (Cost Index: 103). Homes here are typically valued around $291,512, compared to the $303,400 national median. The median household income is $67,500 — overall, living costs and earnings are reasonably balanced in this area.

Austell sits in the stretch zone: not impossible, but household feasibility will depend heavily on rent, down payment, debt load, and whether you are renting or buying. Start with the verdict panel, then compare scenarios before treating this city as affordable.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Stretch

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Austell.

Monthly Housing
$1,797/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
32%
Stretch
Residual Cash
$3,328/mo
After housing and debt · $1,109/person
Rent vs Buy
Compare ownership
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: HighHome source: ZILLOWRent source: ZILLOWBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 41%
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Cost Index
103
Average
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$291,512
Zillow ZHVI Market Rate • Census ACS: $255,700
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,864/mo
Zillow ZORI Market Rate • Census ACS: $1,426/mo
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$67,500
National: $78,538
Population
8,351
Purchasing Power
83
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
96 / 100
Close to average
Rent Index
138 / 100
38% above average
Goods & Groceries
100 / 100
About the same as most US cities
Utilities
96 / 100
Typical utility costs
Healthcare & Services
97 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
103
Average

Austell Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $291,512 and Georgia's property tax rate of 0.92%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$67,500
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
33%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
4.3x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Austell looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Austell, GA

Est. Annual Property Tax
$2,682
Monthly Impact
$224
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
0.92%
National avg: ~1.00%

Georgia Place Tax Context

Tax TypeGeorgiaNational Avg
Property Tax Rate0.92%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate5.49%~5.0%
State Sales Tax7.38%~5.0%

Compare Austell to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Austell, GA
103
138
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Austell, GA: 96
Rent Prices
138

FAQ: Living in Austell

What is the cost of living like in Austell, GA?+

Living costs in Austell land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 103 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is $291,512, and typical monthly rents run around $1,864. Groceries and utilities are in line with what you would find in most US cities.

How does Austell fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,864, while local median household income is $67,500. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 33% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Austell, GA?+

Georgia has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 5.49%. The effective property tax rate is 0.92%. On a home worth $291,512, that translates to roughly $2,682 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 7.38% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Austell, GA?+

The typical monthly rent in Austell is around $1,864. That's about 38% higher than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $291,512, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Austell, GA?+

The median home in Austell is valued at $291,512. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,474/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 63% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Austell?+

Grocery prices in Austell are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 100, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are about typical (index: 96). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is Austell, GA like to live in?+

Austell is a small town with a population of about 8,351. The median age of residents is 34, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 9.26%, near the national average of 12.4%.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Georgia

Use these city pages when you want to compare Austell against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly