Rent & Housing in Georgia
Based on comprehensive economic data across 169 tracked municipalities, Georgia presents diverse cost of living environments. Macroeconomic modeling identifies Camilla as the most cost-efficient market, contrasting starkly with the elevated real estate valuations found in Skidaway Island. Georgia assesses a 5.49% progressive income tax, while residential property taxes average 0.92%. Financial planning in GA requires careful alignment of localized housing costs against state-level tax obligations.
Use this state hub to understand the statewide housing baseline first, then drop into city pages for a household-level feasibility verdict. The key question here is not just whether Georgia is “cheap” or “expensive”, but which cities look most livable once rent, home values, taxes, and household income are considered together.
Georgia sits in the middle: neither uniformly cheap nor uniformly unaffordable. The statewide baseline is 23% average rent burden and 4.2x home-price-to-income, so the best next step is to compare lower-pressure cities against higher-cost metros rather than assuming the whole state behaves the same way.
Georgia Tax Radar
At a gross income of $74,580, the localized Georgia marginal tax brackets exact an effective state penalty of 4.2%. This results in an absolute "tax drag" drain of $3,131/year compared to states with no income tax.
Lower Housing Pressure Cities
These city pages have comparatively lower rent burden inside Georgia, making them strong candidates for the next housing-feasibility clicks.
Biggest Move-Market Cities
These are the highest-population city pages in the state, useful when you want the major relocation targets before exploring the full table.
Rent Pressure Outliers
These city pages show the highest rent burden inside Georgia. They are useful when you want to see where renting starts to materially squeeze household budgets.
Buy Pressure Outliers
These city pages have the toughest home-price-to-income ratios in Georgia, making them the first places to inspect when buy-side affordability is the core concern.
All Cities in Georgia
| City | Pop. | Home Value | Rent | Income | Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 499,287 | $381,549 | $1,888 | $81,938 | 114 |
| Columbus | 204,383 | $182,300 | $1,218 | $56,622 | 83 |
| Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance) | 201,504 | $162,900 | $1,087 | $53,134 | 79 |
| Macon-Bibb County | 156,543 | $165,800 | $1,026 | $50,747 | 78 |
| Savannah | 147,546 | $322,470 | $1,736 | $56,782 | 104 |
| Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) | 126,987 | $271,800 | $1,162 | $51,655 | 92 |
| South Fulton | 109,157 | $270,600 | $1,607 | $81,798 | 97 |
| Sandy Springs | 107,198 | $678,366 | $1,704 | $101,593 | 146 |
| Roswell | 92,577 | $646,554 | $1,707 | $124,422 | 143 |
| Johns Creek | 82,115 | $692,509 | $2,336 | $160,185 | 155 |
| Warner Robins | 81,438 | $208,504 | $1,151 | $65,715 | 85 |
| Albany | 67,939 | $118,700 | $898 | $45,201 | 72 |
| Alpharetta | 66,355 | $716,394 | $2,052 | $146,581 | 154 |
| Marietta | 61,773 | $468,314 | $1,742 | $70,086 | 122 |
| Stonecrest | 59,917 | $223,100 | $1,490 | $62,939 | 90 |
| Brookhaven | 57,224 | $729,330 | $1,789 | $117,448 | 153 |
| Smyrna | 56,285 | $444,315 | $1,650 | $96,780 | 118 |
| Valdosta | 55,222 | $165,300 | $1,000 | $45,849 | 78 |
| Dunwoody | 51,563 | $661,284 | $1,806 | $109,116 | 145 |
| Gainesville | 44,051 | $368,326 | $1,646 | $64,636 | 109 |
| Newnan | 43,510 | $361,887 | $1,750 | $80,299 | 110 |
| Mableton | 42,403 | $349,045 | $1,399 | $84,662 | 105 |
| Peachtree Corners | 42,184 | $544,657 | $1,617 | $81,413 | 130 |
| Milton | 41,305 | $928,122 | $1,853 | $151,235 | 177 |
| Peachtree City | 38,977 | $461,000 | $1,915 | $111,421 | 124 |
| East Point | 38,233 | $229,687 | $1,516 | $58,983 | 92 |
| Rome | 37,754 | $214,700 | $976 | $51,106 | 84 |
| Evans | 37,718 | $401,670 | $1,483 | $126,767 | 111 |
| Tucker | 37,022 | $382,965 | $1,458 | $81,141 | 109 |
| Woodstock | 36,297 | $387,300 | $2,010 | $105,396 | 116 |
| Douglasville | 36,284 | $301,922 | $1,882 | $76,591 | 105 |
| Stockbridge | 35,475 | $248,000 | $1,610 | $70,579 | 96 |
| Hinesville | 35,282 | $174,300 | $1,707 | $59,216 | 87 |
| Canton | 34,587 | $369,700 | $1,999 | $81,642 | 114 |
| Dalton | 34,402 | $203,100 | $924 | $61,236 | 82 |
| Statesboro | 33,705 | $158,600 | $935 | $42,884 | 76 |
| Kennesaw | 33,627 | $402,095 | $1,820 | $79,759 | 116 |
| Martinez | 33,019 | $278,229 | $1,218 | $85,617 | 94 |
| Duluth | 31,958 | $442,283 | $1,605 | $95,580 | 118 |
| LaGrange | 31,479 | $175,600 | $1,038 | $41,491 | 79 |
| Lawrenceville | 30,626 | $378,385 | $1,881 | $58,606 | 114 |
| Redan | 30,426 | $197,600 | $1,436 | $63,226 | 86 |
| Chamblee | 30,369 | $472,294 | $1,775 | $81,774 | 123 |
| McDonough | 30,056 | $285,800 | $1,576 | $77,734 | 99 |
| Union City | 27,300 | $232,247 | $1,213 | $47,635 | 89 |
| Pooler | 27,235 | $349,259 | $1,756 | $91,497 | 108 |
| Carrollton | 27,058 | $283,100 | $1,067 | $51,553 | 93 |
| Sugar Hill | 25,285 | $457,541 | $1,738 | $99,479 | 121 |
| Decatur | 24,470 | $277,821 | $1,780 | $140,480 | 101 |
| Griffin | 23,650 | $195,100 | $1,034 | $44,021 | 83 |
| Cartersville | 23,617 | $298,000 | $1,194 | $78,640 | 97 |
| Acworth | 22,370 | $406,640 | $2,130 | $80,703 | 120 |
| Perry | 22,243 | $271,719 | $1,105 | $81,648 | 92 |
| Suwanee | 21,811 | $598,659 | $1,856 | $105,878 | 139 |
| Candler-McAfee | 21,316 | $239,400 | $1,408 | $62,299 | 91 |
| Snellville | 21,203 | $351,239 | $2,093 | $88,378 | 113 |
| Forest Park | 19,619 | $163,111 | $1,101 | $42,286 | 80 |
| Fayetteville | 19,364 | $449,700 | $2,327 | $82,144 | 127 |
| Kingsland | 19,101 | $226,800 | $1,201 | $80,395 | 87 |
| Winder | 18,847 | $339,255 | $1,092 | $59,944 | 100 |
| St. Marys | 18,805 | $308,382 | $1,171 | $67,271 | 96 |
| Thomasville | 18,720 | $196,500 | $1,025 | $48,464 | 82 |
| North Decatur | 18,460 | $459,000 | $1,750 | $110,366 | 120 |
| North Druid Hills | 18,172 | $486,200 | $1,803 | $95,612 | 124 |
| Conyers | 17,916 | $218,000 | $1,652 | $58,141 | 93 |
| Villa Rica | 17,798 | $309,635 | $1,462 | $86,052 | 101 |
| Holly Springs | 17,693 | $414,700 | $1,927 | $111,224 | 118 |
| Norcross | 17,669 | $324,439 | $1,467 | $75,068 | 103 |
| Buford | 17,611 | $464,912 | $1,982 | $71,598 | 125 |
| Calhoun | 17,611 | $240,700 | $785 | $51,439 | 84 |
| Powder Springs | 17,414 | $361,656 | $1,778 | $96,961 | 110 |
| Richmond Hill | 17,408 | $272,100 | $2,042 | $89,910 | 102 |
| Tifton | 17,140 | $204,402 | $793 | $44,324 | 80 |
| Milledgeville | 16,873 | $184,400 | $850 | $39,669 | 78 |
| Fairburn | 16,609 | $319,683 | $2,048 | $89,276 | 109 |
| Grovetown | 16,516 | $302,401 | $1,817 | $72,612 | 103 |
| Lithia Springs | 16,138 | $276,743 | $1,353 | $54,982 | 96 |
| St. Simons | 16,026 | $484,100 | $1,626 | $105,944 | 122 |
| Dublin | 16,023 | $187,575 | $752 | $40,417 | 78 |
| Americus | 15,910 | $113,500 | $825 | $39,527 | 70 |
| Monroe | 15,336 | $367,999 | $1,118 | $43,991 | 104 |
| Brunswick | 15,248 | $128,300 | $876 | $34,021 | 72 |
| Lilburn | 14,939 | $392,541 | $1,479 | $57,266 | 111 |
| Loganville | 14,878 | $321,800 | $2,308 | $77,011 | 112 |
| Riverdale | 14,866 | $160,000 | $1,649 | $62,627 | 86 |
| Clarkston | 14,560 | $264,564 | $1,355 | $46,495 | 95 |
| Moultrie | 14,545 | $162,815 | $777 | $42,900 | 75 |
| Wilmington Island | 14,457 | $361,600 | $1,680 | $92,578 | 108 |
| Dallas | 14,440 | $350,537 | $1,355 | $73,387 | 105 |
| Belvedere Park | 14,422 | $266,000 | $1,414 | $68,900 | 94 |
| Bainbridge | 14,353 | $150,600 | $843 | $41,531 | 75 |
| Covington | 14,334 | $290,247 | $1,828 | $47,797 | 103 |
| Jefferson | 14,249 | $346,800 | $906 | $96,761 | 96 |
| Braselton | 14,139 | $425,900 | $1,644 | $113,810 | 113 |
| College Park | 13,969 | $274,493 | $1,131 | $48,505 | 93 |
| Waycross | 13,813 | $138,939 | $810 | $37,398 | 73 |
| Vinings | 13,538 | $490,393 | $1,761 | $91,308 | 125 |
| Mountain Park | 13,102 | $321,000 | $1,847 | $95,678 | 105 |
| Port Wentworth | 11,997 | $289,085 | $1,648 | $78,861 | 99 |
| Douglas | 11,720 | $176,326 | $704 | $37,979 | 76 |
| Georgetown | 11,606 | $129,802 | $1,446 | $80,231 | 79 |
| Rincon | 11,152 | $230,300 | $1,248 | $75,250 | 88 |
| Lovejoy | 10,967 | $228,500 | $1,546 | $67,872 | 93 |
| Vidalia | 10,762 | $182,307 | $731 | $53,393 | 77 |
| Doraville | 10,738 | $360,369 | $1,661 | $60,618 | 109 |
| Scottdale | 10,398 | $317,076 | $1,460 | $82,778 | 102 |
| Fair Oaks | 10,392 | $198,400 | $1,209 | $61,681 | 84 |
| Garden City | 10,375 | $267,345 | $1,111 | $41,735 | 91 |
| Fort Oglethorpe | 10,332 | $186,500 | $952 | $50,902 | 78 |
| Flowery Branch | 10,286 | $421,385 | $1,739 | $88,185 | 116 |
| Cedartown | 10,211 | $148,000 | $857 | $32,064 | 74 |
| Cordele | 10,107 | $130,418 | $761 | $31,564 | 71 |
| Cairo | 10,067 | $114,300 | $728 | $40,496 | 69 |
| Locust Grove | 9,931 | $322,613 | $1,490 | $72,563 | 103 |
| Jesup | 9,863 | $198,127 | $676 | $48,306 | 78 |
| Thomaston | 9,798 | $176,860 | $700 | $36,571 | 76 |
| Country Club Estates | 9,575 | $166,800 | $1,069 | $59,387 | 79 |
| Cusseta-Chattahoochee County unified government | 9,181 | $99,800 | $1,235 | $59,221 | 73 |
| Toccoa | 9,173 | $226,973 | $776 | $48,706 | 83 |
| Fitzgerald | 8,962 | $125,770 | $669 | $36,515 | 69 |
| Skidaway Island | 8,907 | $888,435 | $2,673 | $121,991 | 180 |
| Panthersville | 8,840 | $207,600 | $1,357 | $48,984 | 87 |
| Fort Valley | 8,808 | $151,471 | $830 | $39,714 | 75 |
| Dock Junction | 8,786 | $140,300 | $1,068 | $48,600 | 76 |
| Irondale | 8,722 | $186,700 | $1,478 | $61,454 | 86 |
| Hampton | 8,491 | $307,599 | $1,971 | $77,973 | 106 |
| Bemiss | 8,464 | $196,500 | $1,408 | $84,886 | 86 |
| Austell | 8,351 | $291,512 | $1,864 | $67,500 | 103 |
| Centerville | 8,323 | $225,218 | $1,115 | $81,233 | 86 |
| Druid Hills | 8,278 | $790,900 | $2,012 | $140,466 | 161 |
| Auburn | 8,222 | $364,845 | $1,198 | $78,317 | 104 |
| Cumming | 7,869 | $594,144 | $2,173 | $79,073 | 142 |
| Tyrone | 7,803 | $521,450 | $1,110 | $133,773 | 122 |
| Commerce | 7,684 | $233,900 | $1,108 | $61,286 | 85 |
| Swainsboro | 7,561 | $104,800 | $788 | $45,621 | 69 |
| Gresham Park | 7,544 | $252,986 | $1,400 | $70,101 | 94 |
| Bremen | 7,364 | $284,637 | $860 | $86,014 | 92 |
| Dahlonega | 7,194 | $409,100 | $1,290 | $74,500 | 109 |
| Dacula | 7,135 | $443,642 | $2,472 | $74,900 | 128 |
| LaFayette | 6,944 | $135,100 | $812 | $39,820 | 70 |
| Whitemarsh Island | 6,918 | $360,400 | $1,724 | $113,250 | 108 |
| Thomson | 6,824 | $196,301 | $876 | $43,376 | 80 |
| Stone Mountain | 6,639 | $266,001 | $1,638 | $49,661 | 98 |
| Hapeville | 6,590 | $262,746 | $1,287 | $63,673 | 94 |
| Morrow | 6,519 | $218,708 | $1,401 | $61,215 | 90 |
| Eatonton | 6,430 | $144,800 | $881 | $52,989 | 74 |
| Fairfield Plantation | 6,231 | $293,100 | $1,652 | $97,133 | 100 |
| Jonesboro | 6,137 | $142,900 | $1,600 | $50,060 | 83 |
| Barnesville | 6,070 | $172,700 | $902 | $58,317 | 79 |
| McRae-Helena | 5,959 | $111,800 | $606 | $51,296 | 67 |
| Byron | 5,839 | $259,980 | $846 | $86,265 | 87 |
| Waynesboro | 5,700 | $96,000 | $752 | $36,156 | 68 |
| Sandersville | 5,673 | $128,100 | $756 | $44,724 | 71 |
| Temple | 5,655 | $210,800 | $1,482 | $89,269 | 90 |
| Jackson | 5,648 | $163,300 | $818 | $44,508 | 77 |
| Eastman | 5,624 | $145,300 | $751 | $46,214 | 73 |
| Fairview | 5,620 | $171,500 | $847 | $60,714 | 75 |
| Adel | 5,619 | $136,900 | $929 | $35,897 | 74 |
| Sylvester | 5,557 | $166,334 | $901 | $59,808 | 77 |
| Oakwood | 5,499 | $318,316 | $1,269 | $61,191 | 99 |
| Conley | 5,404 | $226,187 | $1,121 | $45,598 | 88 |
| Senoia | 5,353 | $503,877 | $0 | $121,505 | 122 |
| Blakely | 5,276 | $140,400 | $728 | $52,656 | 72 |
| Glennville | 5,199 | $197,162 | $626 | $48,681 | 77 |
| Camilla | 5,158 | $74,400 | $785 | $26,720 | 65 |
| Rockmart | 5,142 | $186,600 | $939 | $53,854 | 80 |
| Social Circle | 5,113 | $358,105 | $1,130 | $82,188 | 103 |
| Hiram | 5,073 | $236,700 | $2,043 | $80,278 | 99 |
FAQ: Living in Georgia
What is the most affordable city to live in Georgia?+
Among the cities we track, Camilla stands out as the most affordable option in Georgia. The median home value there is $74,400, and monthly rent typically runs around $785. The local median household income is $26,720, which tends to go further here than in much of the state.
What is the most expensive city in Georgia?+
Skidaway Island is currently the priciest market in GA. Homes there are valued at a median of $888,435, and renters can expect to pay around $2,673/month. Incomes are higher too — the median household earns $121,991 — but whether that fully offsets the cost premium depends on your lifestyle.
How are taxes in Georgia?+
Georgia has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 5.49%. Property taxes average 0.92% statewide. Combined state and local sales tax can reach 7.38%.
How much does housing vary across Georgia?+
There's a huge range. In Camilla, the median home costs around $74,400. In Skidaway Island, that number jumps to $888,435 — roughly 11x more. Rents follow a similar pattern: approximately $785/month vs. $2,673/month. Where you choose to settle within GA can make a dramatic difference in your monthly budget.
Is Georgia a good state to move to?+
It depends on your priorities and budget. Georgia offers a wide range of living costs depending on the city. You can find very affordable communities alongside expensive metro areas. Home prices range from around $74,400 in budget-friendly areas to $888,435 in premium markets. Use the city comparison tool to compare housing, rent, property tax, and everyday cost pressure across locations in GA.
Explore Other States
- 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)