When most people think of living in Georgia, they automatically think about living in the bustling, busy, and exciting city of Atlanta which boasts high rent prices, bumper-to-bumper traffic, and exorbitant costs for goods and services.
The good news is that there are a ton of affordable housing options and low-cost living available in many cities outside of the capital.
If you’re thinking about relocating to Georgia or visiting Peach State for an extended vacation stay – this is the guide for you!
Our guide provides an overview of Georgia’s cheapest cities and towns based on cost-of-living reports from reputable sources.
Read along to learn about some of the factors affecting Georgia’s cheap housing costs and where to find some of the most affordable housing in the state.
We considered the following factors when compiling the list of the cheapest cities in Georgia.
- Total Housing Costs: The housing cost considerations in Georgia’s cheapest cities are lower than the national or state averages in the areas of – Average Rent Prices, Median Home Prices, Property Taxes, Homeowners Insurance
- Utility Costs: The monthly amounts that residents pay for Heating and Cooling Costs, Electricity, Natural Gas, Water, Sewer, and Trash are substantially lower in this state’s cheapest cities.
- Georgia Taxes: Lower costs of living include adjustments for State Tax, City Taxes, Local Income Tax, and Sales Tax
- Healthcare Costs: Insurance Premiums, Copayments, Emergency Medical Expenses
Contents
- 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Georgia
- 1. Americus
- 2. Augusta – Riverfront History
- 3. Cartersville – Indigenous History with Vibrant Community Spirit
- 4. Columbus – Gateway to the Gulf Coast and Alabama
- 5. Dalton – North Georgia Carpet Country
- 6. Macon – Central Georgia’s Historical Hidden Gem
- 7. Sandersville – Simple Living and Lazy Days on the Oconee
- 8. Statesboro – Youthful Energy in the Hometown of GSU
- 9. Warner Robbins – Near Robins Air Force Base
- 10. Vidalia – Home of The Sweetest Onions in the US
- Georgia Safety Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What Factors Contribute to the Low Cost of Living in Georgia’s Cheapest Cities?
- What Housing Options are Available in Georgia’s Cheapest Cities?
- What Should I Know About Georgia Weather Before I Move There?
- What are Some of the Benefits of Living in Georgia?
- What is the Crime Rate Like in Georgia’s Cheapest Cities?
10 Cheapest Places to Live in Georgia
The population of Georgia has rapidly increased as newcomers from around the US begin to understand the value of living in this southern state which borders Alabama to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
Data-driven research shows that the average cost of living in Georgia is just over $43,000.00 per year.
Housing costs and personal expenditures for childcare and taxes make up the bulk of the Peach State’s living costs.
The city of Atlanta represents the highest costs in the state, with home prices coming in at just over $350,000.00.
Georgia’s estimated housing costs include two-bedroom apartment rents that average just over $1000.00 per month.
People seeking lower-cost housing options in Georgia can find cheaper rents, homebuying prices, and transportation costs in the following cities.
1. Americus
We find The city of Americus, Georgia in the southwest corner of the state with an affordable cost of living that is more than 20% lower than the national average.
This historic Georgia town is the birthplace of Jimmy Carter where renters and homeowners pay low housing costs along with lower costs for food, transportation, healthcare, and other everyday expenses.
Average homebuying prices in Americus are some of the lowest in the nation with median home prices coming in at around $93,000.00.
Affordability, historical connections, and community pride keep Americus residents loyal to their famous hometown.
2. Augusta – Riverfront History
Augusta is a city where towering bridges cast shadows on the Savannah River and cobblestone streets give hints to historical tales of bygone eras.
Online cost of living reports from sources like Payscale, show that people in Augusta pay 13% less than the national average to live in this historical city and 6% less than their Georgia neighbors.
Augusta’s renters spend an average of just over $1,100.00 per month on rent.
Residents pay lower costs for housing in this historic town and less than the national average for all other services.
3. Cartersville – Indigenous History with Vibrant Community Spirit
Nestled in the shadow of the Blue Ridge mountains and the home of the Etowah Indian Mounds built by some of the city’s first indigenous residents, Cartersville GA homeowners enjoy home prices that are more than 15% lower than the national average.
Local renters and homeowners pay affordable rent costs that make this North Georgia town a haven for longtime residents and newcomers alike.
Bartow County locals appreciate paying less for utilities, groceries, and healthcare than many of their local counterparts.
4. Columbus – Gateway to the Gulf Coast and Alabama
Just a stone’s throw away from the coastal city of Phenix City, Alabama, Columbus Georgia blends a dynamic combination of history and industry in this diverse town.
Singles, couples, and families with children enjoy a good quality of life with low costs for buying and renting.
Online data reports show that living in Columbus costs about 14% less than the national average and locals pay cheaper prices for healthcare, groceries, transportation, and housing.
5. Dalton – North Georgia Carpet Country
Dalton is a vibrant north Georgia city where towering mountains kiss the horizon and its storied history whispers secrets from its cobblestone streets.
The average price of Dalton homes is substantially less than the national and state averages, making it easier for newcomers and transplants to realize their home ownership dreams.
Newcomers to the city of Dalton can expect to pay less for housing, food, and most other everyday essentials and services.
Middle Georgia is home to the historical city of Macon where Southern hospitality meets artistic spirit.
Macon is the home of a variety of art galleries and legendary historical venues.
This centuries-old Peace State city boasts affordable housing costs for renters and home buyers seeking to settle in the area.
This central Georgia city costs 12% less than most other US cities and 3% less than local cities within the state.
7. Sandersville – Simple Living and Lazy Days on the Oconee
Sandersville GA homeowners spend lazy afternoons fishing along the Oconee River as locals embrace affordable living and a simpler life.
If you’re thinking about making your home in Sandersville, cost of living reports show that living here is very affordable for most working adults.
Newcomers will need to earn around $45,000.00 per year to cover the housing, food, transportation, and healthcare costs needed to sustain livability in this low-cost Georgia town.
8. Statesboro – Youthful Energy in the Hometown of GSU
Georgia’s residents seeking to escape the high costs of living in Atlanta and other expensive cities often retreat to Statesboro, where living costs are 17-20% cheaper than the national average.
The city of Statesboro boasts a youthful energy as the home of Georgia Southern University.
Residents pay affordable costs for housing, everyday expenses, transportation, and visiting popular local amenities like the Georgia Botanical Garden, which is a sprawling oasis of blooms and greenery.
9. Warner Robbins – Near Robins Air Force Base
Warner Robbins is a small Georgia town with a palpable community spirit where aerospace advancements and iconic aircraft like the B-52 bombers at Robins Air Force Base meet historical charm.
A single adult making just over $35,000.00 a year can enjoy a relatively comfortable lifestyle as a renter or homeowner in Warner Robbins.
Typical living costs fall well below the national and state averages here and the annual salary mentioned above can cover costs for housing, food, childcare, transportation, and healthcare.
10. Vidalia – Home of The Sweetest Onions in the US
Known as the home of some of the sweetest onions in the nation, Vidalia, GA residents pay less to live in the world-famous agricultural town.
Vidalia’s air carries a hint of delicate sweetness where homeowners and renters pay 15% less than the national average for housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and everyday expenses like trips to the local Vidalia Onion Museum, which teaches this small town’s agricultural history.
This attractive and affordable town is an ideal location for Georgia newbies seeking a low-cost living environment.
Georgia Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Georgia Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What Factors Contribute to the Low Cost of Living in Georgia’s Cheapest Cities?
The biggest factor contributing to the low cost of living in Georgia’s cheapest cities is that locals pay substantially less for housing costs.
Some of the cheapest cities in Georgia have home buying and rent prices as much as 20-50% less than the national and state averages.
What Housing Options are Available in Georgia’s Cheapest Cities?
There are a variety of affordable housing options available for home buyers and renters seeking shelter in Georgia’s cheapest cities.
Newcomers can find rental homes, apartments, manufactured and mobile homes, duplexes, and unconventional housing options.
What Should I Know About Georgia Weather Before I Move There?
Most of the state of Georgia experiences a subtropical climate where summers are hot and humid with temperatures reaching the high 90s and early 100s.
The Peach State has four distinct seasons; occasional frost and rare instances of snowfall.
Georgians living in the southeastern corner of the state along the Atlantic Coast and the border of Florida are susceptible to rapidly changing weather systems and coastal hurricanes.
What are Some of the Benefits of Living in Georgia?
Living in Georgia has a variety of benefits for newcomers and longtime residents.
The Peach State is home to a wide variety of popular attractions found in large metropolitan areas and smaller and lesser-known cities.
Most importantly, residents living comfortably in Georgia’s lowest-cost cities can enjoy a good quality of life – without breaking the bank.
What is the Crime Rate Like in Georgia’s Cheapest Cities?
While many people automatically assume that low costs of living correlate to higher crime rates, this isn’t always the case.
The crime rates in Georgia’s cheapest cities range from virtually non-existent to extremely high.
Newcomers seeking to buy or rent a home in Georgia’s cheapest cities should do their due diligence to learn more about city safety standards and research local crime data reports before committing to a new neighborhood.
