Among Georgia’s six largest cities, median rent runs from $1,066 a month in Macon-Bibb County to $1,711 in Atlanta, and the median home value from $174,500 in Macon-Bibb to $439,600 in Atlanta. Outside Atlanta, the other five cities sit close together, and all five are below the statewide median rent of $1,393.
| City | Median gross rent | Median home value | Per capita income | In poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $1,711 | $439,600 | $65,718 | 16.9% |
| Savannah | $1,382 | $248,900 | $33,007 | 19.7% |
| Athens-Clarke County | $1,219 | $299,200 | $32,491 | 26.5% |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $1,142 | $178,400 | $31,910 | 20.1% |
| Columbus | $1,106 | $193,900 | $33,739 | 19.0% |
| Macon-Bibb County | $1,066 | $174,500 | $31,699 | 24.7% |
| Georgia | $1,393 | $303,300 | — | 12.6% |
| United States | $1,413 | $332,700 | — | 10.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, American Community Survey 5-year estimates for 2020–2024, checked September 17, 2026. Per capita income is income per person, not per household. Statewide and national per capita income were not captured.
What stands out?
- Atlanta is in a different band. Its median rent is about 60% higher than Macon-Bibb’s, and its median home value is about 2½ times as high. Its per capita income, $65,718, is roughly double any of the other five.
- Savannah is the next most expensive, at $1,382 rent and $248,900 home value — just under the statewide median rent.
- Athens-Clarke has high home values for its rents ($299,200, close to the state median) and the highest poverty rate of the six, 26.5%.
- Macon-Bibb, Augusta-Richmond and Columbus are the three most affordable on both rent and home value.
How should you read these numbers?
- They are five-year averages, not today’s listings. The American Community Survey pools responses from 2020 to 2024, so current asking rents and sale prices are usually higher.
- City limits, not metro areas. “Atlanta” here means the City of Atlanta only; suburbs are not included.
- Four of the six are consolidated city-county governments — Athens-Clarke, Augusta-Richmond, Columbus and Macon-Bibb — so their figures cover most of a county, rural areas included.
For Atlanta specifically, see the cost of living in Atlanta; if you are relocating, the new Georgia resident checklist covers the license and tag deadlines.
FAQ
What is the cheapest large city in Georgia for rent?
Macon-Bibb County, with a median gross rent of $1,066 a month, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates for 2020-2024. Columbus ($1,106) and Augusta-Richmond County ($1,142) are close behind.
How much is rent in Atlanta compared with Savannah?
Atlanta’s median gross rent is $1,711 a month and Savannah’s is $1,382, according to Census estimates for 2020-2024.
What is the median home value in Georgia?
$303,300 statewide, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 estimates, against $332,700 nationally.
Are these rents current?
No. They are American Community Survey five-year estimates covering 2020 to 2024. Current asking rents are usually higher.
How we checked this guide: Dates, hours, admission and parking prices, and access details were verified against the official sources listed below on . Operators change schedules and raise prices without notice, so confirm anything time-sensitive before you drive. The figures in this guide also feed our Georgia Attraction Transparency Index and Family Day-Out Cost Index.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau — QuickFacts: Atlanta, Savannah, Columbus, Macon-Bibb, Athens-Clarke, Augusta-Richmond
- U.S. Census Bureau — QuickFacts: Georgia and United States
Hank Whitlock is the pen name of the It's Georgia editor. Every guide is built around the questions a busy family actually asks before a trip: how long is the drive, what does parking cost, can the stroller make it, are dogs allowed. Details are checked against official park, city, and venue sources, and each guide shows the date it was last updated.
