Americans love Georgia! And why wouldn’t you? Around 388,422 people moved to Georgia in 2023. This was mainly because the state has a booming job market and a top-rated education system.
Apart from beautiful scenery, Georgia offers affordable living. The cost of living in the ‘Peach State’ is 10% lower than the national average. Moreover, Georgia is home to the headquarters of several big corporations, including Coca-Cola, Delta, Home Depot, and UPS.
With 14% of the Georgian population aged 20-29 years, the state is a perfect place for young professionals. Let’s explore the best places to live in Georgia.
Find Homes in Some of the Best Places in GA
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Find Homes in Some of the Best Places in GA
View 54,654 Homes For Sale in Georgia
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3 REASONS TO LIVE IN GEORGIA 🌄
- By 2030, job markets in Georgia is expected to rise by 15.5%. Manufacturing, tech, and healthcare are the growing sectors.
- Georgia is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, with a projected population increase of 17.7% by 2030.
- The median home price in Georgia is $320,091, which is less than the national average of $430,300.
Best Places to Live in Georgia in 2024
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Columbus | 202,616 | $152,747 | $6,249 | 4.2% | 53/100 |
| 2. | Athens | 127,981 | $396,900 | $6,062 | 3.8% | 54/100 |
| 3. | Augusta | 202,596 | $173,745 | $6,017 | 4.0% | 55/100 |
| 4. | Alpharetta | 67,276 | $666,131 | $5,792 | 3.10% | 55/100 |
| 5. | Johns Creek | 82,458 | $652,408 | $5,051 | 2.8% | 52/100 |
| 6. | Savannah | 147,987 | $404,600 | $3,817 | 3.5% | 60/100 |
| 7. | Atlanta | 499,121 | $439,900 | $5,654 | 3.7% | 61/100 |
1. Columbus
| Home Value | ⬆️ 6.3% |
| Median Household Income | $50,542 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,249 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 53/100 |
The median house price in Columbus is $152,747. The cost of living in the city is 12% lower than the national average. Columbus is the center of banking and insurance companies.
Also, the city offers many options to kill time like free concerts, shopping districts, and huge farmer markets. The Columbus State University which is among the top 30 public schools in the country, makes the city ideal for students.
» Homes For Sale in Columbus, GA: View thousands of properties for sale in Columbus.
2. Athens
| Home Value | ⬆️ 7.8% |
| Median Household Income | $43,466 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,062 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 54/100 |
The median home price in Athens is $396,900, which is less than the national average. With its moderate climate, affordable housing, and top medical care, Athens is ideal for home seekers.
The property tax in Athens is 1.24% which is less than New York and Texas. Also, Athens is home to the prestigious University of Georgia, which offers huge educational opportunities to its residents.
» Homes For Sale in Athens, GA: Find your dream home online.
3. Augusta
| Home Value | ⬆️ 3.1% |
| Median Household Income | $46,108 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,017 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 55/100 |
The cost of living in Augusta is 13% lower than the national average. With a median house price of $173,745, buying a house in Augusta is very affordable.
Augusta is popular for the National Golf Club, which hosts the annual Masters Tournament. Apart from this, the city is home to prestigious institutions like Augusta University and Paine College.
» Homes For Sale in Augusta, GA: Find the best properties in the Augusta neighborhood.
4. Alpharetta
| Home Value | ⬆️ 9.7% |
| Median Household Income | $133,920 |
| Monthly Expenses | $5,792 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.10% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 55/100 |
The average salary in Alpharetta is $81,000, which is higher than the national average of $59,428. The city is home to around 40,000 businesses. These include companies like LexisNexis, ADP, and Verizon Wireless, ideal for job seekers.
Also, living in Alpharetta means your calendar is full of family gatherings and events. The city hosts the largest food festival in Georgia annually called “Taste of Alpharetta“. The event admits around 40,000 people for free.
» Homes For Sale in Alpharetta, GA: Find your dream home in Alpharetta.
5. Johns Creek
| Home Value | ⬆️ 7.3% |
| Median Household Income | $133,948 |
| Monthly Expenses | $5,051 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 52/100 |
The crime rate in Johns Creek is 6.6, which is way lower than the national rate of 22.7. The city is ideal for people seeking to live in safe suburbs with less traffic congestion and pollution.
The median home price in Johns Creek is $652,408. The city is covered with green Georgia forests. Apart from this, there are 6,000 acres of green space for hiking and cycling, in the city.
» Homes For Sale in Johns Creek, GA: View the best luxurious properties for sale in Johns Creek.
6. Savannah
| Home Value | ⬆️ 10.5% |
| Median Household Income | $49,832 |
| Monthly Expenses | $3,817 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 60/100 |
The city of Savannah can never let its residents get bored. Live concerts, food festivals, museums, the city has got it all. Also, Savannah offers a blend of nature and history, with the National Historic Landmark District and beautiful landscapes.
The median home price in Savannah is $404,600, which is less than the national average. Also, the city has zero estate tax, making it an ideal place to retire.
» Homes For Sale in Savannah, GA: View the best properties in Savannah online.
7. Atlanta
| Home Value | ⬆️ 1.2% |
| Median Household Income | $69,164 |
| Monthly Expenses | $5,654 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 61/100 |
The median age in Atlanta is 34 years, which makes it a perfect place for young professionals. Atlanta is an ideal city for families and career builders looking for a lower cost of living.
As of September 2023, the median home price in Atlanta is $439,900. With home prices rising nationwide, Atlanta offers affordable home rates and excellent neighborhoods. Well-built towns such as Grant Park, Peachtree Hills, and Virginia Highland offer home-seekers a wide range of options.
» Homes For Sale in Atlanta, GA: Find your dream home on Houzeo.
Best Places to Live in Georgia for Families
Safety, good schools, and connectivity are essential when moving with the family. Here are the best places to live in Georgia for families:
- Panthersville: This district is home to top-rated educational institutions like Columbia Elementary School and the Academy of Engineering. Also, the area has easy accessibility to grocery stores and parks.
- Rivermont: The city is located near Holcomb Bridge and Barnwell Roads, making access to GA-400 and GA-141 highways very easy.
Best Places to Live in Georgia for Young Adults
Below are the best places to live in Georgia for young adults:
- Decatur: The average annual salary for college graduates in this city is $63,044. Decatur is famous for its educational institutions, restaurants, and music concerts.
- Roswell: The average annual income for a recent graduate in the city is $67,000. Roswell is popular for outdoor sports like hiking, biking, and kayaking.
Bottom Line
Georgia is the best place to live in the US due to its low cost of living and great climate. Other things that contribute are its huge job market and excellent education system.
Georgia offers an affordable cost of living, 10% lower than the national average. Also, the housing prices are 20% lower than the national average.
In some cities, the median price is around $152,747, whereas in some cities like Johns Creek, it can go up to $652,408. So, do your research before you move to Georgia. To start your home search, browse properties online.
Find Homes For Sale by Type and Style in GA
Research Methodology
We considered different regions to rank the best places in Georgia. Comparison criteria for the best cities to live in Georgia and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: Georgia Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[7]
Additionally, we have listed the good cities to live in Georgia for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, retirees, and working professionals.
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