Looking to put down roots in Atlanta this year, but not sure whether to rent or buy? ATTOM released its 2025 Rent Affordability report earlier this year, which points out that purchasing a home is more affordable in the long run than renting in more than half of county-level markets across the United States. That being said, both options are difficult for U.S. workers to finance and take between 25% and 60% of average monthly wages. How does this data affect Atlanta homebuyers and renters? Let’s dive in!

Homeownership trends as more affordable than renting

According to the ATTOM data, buying is more favorable in the Midwest and South, with 60% of Southern counties requiring smaller portions of wages in comparison to renting. The Buy or Rent 2025 Heat Map shows diversity throughout Georgia with pockets that favor homeownership and others where renting is more financially desirable.

North Georgia counties like Bartow, Carroll, Clarke and Douglas counties lean into the national trend of homeownership over renting. The home and rental affordability data below indicates the percentage of average household wages required for renting versus owning a home in these Georgia counties.

Bartow County

• Home Affordability: 36.9%
• Rental Affordability: 38.8%
• Median Single-Family Home Price: $305,000

Carroll County

• Home Affordability: 34.5%
• Rental Affordability: 38.7%
• Median Single-Family Home Price: $280,000

Clarke County

• Home Affordability: 41.6%
• Rental Affordability: 44.2%
• Median Single-Family Home Price: $346,050

Douglas County

• Home Affordability: 36.3%
• Rental Affordability: 39.8%
• Median Single-Family Home Price: $293,050

Other Georgia markets like Savannah and Columbus are also buyer friendly. In coastal Savannah, owning a home only requires 37.8% of household wages, compared to 42.8% for renting. Columbus, in Muscogee County, is another choice for prospective buyers with a $159,900 median home price and only 20.7% of average household wages required for homeownership expenses.

Renting is favored in urban counties

As you venture closer to Atlanta, renting becomes more favorable. Cobb, Cherokee and Paulding counties range from 38.7% to 60.3% for home affordability, which is high in comparison to 36.3% to 52.1% for rentals.

In a recent RentCafe study, Atlanta ranked third for “Best Cities for Renters.” The study evaluates the cost of living and housing,  local economy  and residents’ quality of life to determine the top budget-friendly cities for renters. Renter income growth has increased 44% in the last few years and Atlanta’s business hub is favorable with 475 business applications per 10,000 residents. Additionally, 33% of Atlanta’s adult population holds an upper education degree.

Cities in Gwinnett and Forsyth counties also lean toward rentals. The median price for a single-family home in Forsyth County is $610,000, almost $150,000 more than its neighbor, Cherokee County with a median price of $470,000. With a median home price of $420,000, it’s also favorable to rent over buying a home in Gwinnett County.

Further down the state, in Bibb and Houston counties, you see a shift toward buyer-friendly markets again. A single-family home in Macon is approximately $144,885 with a home affordability of 18.9%. Similarly in Warner Robins, located in Houston County, the median price of a single-family home is affordable for local buyers at $250,000.

What does this mean for Atlanta homebuyers and renters? While trends vary from county to county, there is a distinctive shift between suburban and urban areas. The closer you move to Atlanta, the more desirable renting is over homeownership. Counties that do not directly touch the Atlanta perimeter offer lower home prices that attract prospective buyers to act fast. If you are still on the fence about buying versus renting a home, make sure to look at each county on the map to find the best fit for you!

 

Looking to put down roots in Atlanta this year, but not sure whether to rent or buy? ATTOM released its 2025 Rent Affordability report earlier this year, which points out that purchasing a home is more affordable in the long run than renting in more than half of county-level markets across the United States. That being said, both options are difficult for U.S. workers to finance and take between 25% and 60% of average monthly wages. How does this data affect Atlanta homebuyers and renters? Let’s dive in!

Homeownership trends as more affordable than renting

According to the ATTOM data, buying is more favorable in the Midwest and South, with 60% of Southern counties requiring smaller portions of wages in comparison to renting. The Buy or Rent 2025 Heat Map shows diversity throughout Georgia with pockets that favor homeownership and others where renting is more financially desirable.

North Georgia counties like Bartow, Carroll, Clarke and Douglas counties lean into the national trend of homeownership over renting. The home and rental affordability data below indicates the percentage of average household wages required for renting versus owning a home in these Georgia counties.

Bartow County

• Home Affordability: 36.9%
• Rental Affordability: 38.8%
• Median Single-Family Home Price: $305,000

Carroll County

• Home Affordability: 34.5%
• Rental Affordability: 38.7%
• Median Single-Family Home Price: $280,000

Clarke County

• Home Affordability: 41.6%
• Rental Affordability: 44.2%
• Median Single-Family Home Price: $346,050

Douglas County

• Home Affordability: 36.3%
• Rental Affordability: 39.8%
• Median Single-Family Home Price: $293,050

Other Georgia markets like Savannah and Columbus are also buyer friendly. In coastal Savannah, owning a home only requires 37.8% of household wages, compared to 42.8% for renting. Columbus, in Muscogee County, is another choice for prospective buyers with a $159,900 median home price and only 20.7% of average household wages required for homeownership expenses.

Renting is favored in urban counties

As you venture closer to Atlanta, renting becomes more favorable. Cobb, Cherokee and Paulding counties range from 38.7% to 60.3% for home affordability, which is high in comparison to 36.3% to 52.1% for rentals.

In a recent RentCafe study, Atlanta ranked third for “Best Cities for Renters.” The study evaluates the cost of living and housing,  local economy  and residents’ quality of life to determine the top budget-friendly cities for renters. Renter income growth has increased 44% in the last few years and Atlanta’s business hub is favorable with 475 business applications per 10,000 residents. Additionally, 33% of Atlanta’s adult population holds an upper education degree.

Cities in Gwinnett and Forsyth counties also lean toward rentals. The median price for a single-family home in Forsyth County is $610,000, almost $150,000 more than its neighbor, Cherokee County with a median price of $470,000. With a median home price of $420,000, it’s also favorable to rent over buying a home in Gwinnett County.

Further down the state, in Bibb and Houston counties, you see a shift toward buyer-friendly markets again. A single-family home in Macon is approximately $144,885 with a home affordability of 18.9%. Similarly in Warner Robins, located in Houston County, the median price of a single-family home is affordable for local buyers at $250,000.

What does this mean for Atlanta homebuyers and renters? While trends vary from county to county, there is a distinctive shift between suburban and urban areas. The closer you move to Atlanta, the more desirable renting is over homeownership. Counties that do not directly touch the Atlanta perimeter offer lower home prices that attract prospective buyers to act fast. If you are still on the fence about buying versus renting a home, make sure to look at each county on the map to find the best fit for you!

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