To live in Georgia’smost expensive places, you’re going to need a couple of things.
You’ll need a job that pays $77,516/year. To get that heavy piggy bank, you’re going to want to get a job at one of Georgia’s highest-paying companies like Home Depot, Coca-Cola, and Alfac.
To produce the list of places that will break the bank in Georgia, we compared the latest cost of living data from the American Community Survey. We also considered home prices to income and rent to income for the 131 places with at least 5,000 people.
Grab a slice of peach pie, find a sunny spot on the beach in Savannah, and keep reading.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Most Expensive Places To Live In Georgia For 2026
What’s the most expensive place to live in Georgia? Well, HomeSnacks crunched the numbers and discovered that Decatur is the most expensive place to live in Georgia.
Fort Valley (the cheapest place to live in Georgia) can show these guys how to live on a budget in the coming years. Read on for how these places had costs rise faster than inflation.
And if you already knew these places were expensive, check out some more reading about Georgia and the most expensive cities in the country:
The 10 Most Expensive Places To Live In Georgia For 2026
/10
Population: 24,518
Cost Of Living Index: 148
Median Income: $139,397
Average Home Price: $279,470
Home Price To Income Ratio: 2.0x
More on Decatur: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Decatur is 148. The median income in Decatur comes in at $139,397 and the average home value is $279,470 for 2026.
/10
Population: 57,855
Cost Of Living Index: 144
Median Income: $117,663
Average Home Price: $741,428
Home Price To Income Ratio: 6.3x
More on Brookhaven: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Brookhaven is 144. The median income in Brookhaven comes in at $117,663 and the average home value is $741,428 for 2026.
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Population: 41,546
Cost Of Living Index: 143
Median Income: $171,295
Average Home Price: $941,273
Home Price To Income Ratio: 5.5x
More on Milton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Milton is 143. The median income in Milton comes in at $171,295 and the average home value is $941,273 for 2026.
/10
Population: 66,855
Cost Of Living Index: 137
Median Income: $147,612
Average Home Price: $726,349
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.9x
More on Alpharetta: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Alpharetta is 137. The median income in Alpharetta comes in at $147,612 and the average home value is $726,349 for 2026.
/10
Population: 51,758
Cost Of Living Index: 136
Median Income: $121,903
Average Home Price: $675,944
Home Price To Income Ratio: 5.5x
More on Dunwoody: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Dunwoody is 136. The median income in Dunwoody comes in at $121,903 and the average home value is $675,944 for 2026.
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Population: 107,087
Cost Of Living Index: 135
Median Income: $104,340
Average Home Price: $691,063
Home Price To Income Ratio: 6.6x
More on Sandy Springs: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Sandy Springs is 135. The median income in Sandy Springs comes in at $104,340 and the average home value is $691,063 for 2026.
/10
Population: 81,988
Cost Of Living Index: 132
Median Income: $160,093
Average Home Price: $703,497
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.4x
More on Johns Creek: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Johns Creek is 132. The median income in Johns Creek comes in at $160,093 and the average home value is $703,497 for 2026.
/10
Population: 92,621
Cost Of Living Index: 129
Median Income: $128,654
Average Home Price: $658,156
Home Price To Income Ratio: 5.1x
More on Roswell: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Roswell is 129. The median income in Roswell comes in at $128,654 and the average home value is $658,156 for 2026.
/10
Population: 7,299
Cost Of Living Index: 127
Median Income: $77,516
Average Home Price: $382,572
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.9x
More on Dahlonega: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Dahlonega is 127. The median income in Dahlonega comes in at $77,516 and the average home value is $382,572 for 2026.
/10
Population: 39,576
Cost Of Living Index: 126
Median Income: $113,987
Average Home Price: $573,532
Home Price To Income Ratio: 5.0x
More on Peachtree City: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Peachtree City is 126. The median income in Peachtree City comes in at $113,987 and the average home value is $573,532 for 2026.
Methodology: How We Determined The Most Expensive Places To Live In The Peach State For 2026
The two most important things to think about when it comes to being able to afford a city in Georgia are:
- How much money do I make?
- How much do I have to spend to live there?
You need to understand your costs in the context of how much money you make.
For example, if the median household earns $100,000 and spends $40,000 on housing, it’s actually cheaper to live there than a place with a median income of $50,000 and housing costs of $21,000. You might spend more on housing, but you have more money overall to play with.
With that example in mind, we derived several statistics from the latest Census American Community Survey 2020-2024 around incomes and costs. They are:
- Overall Cost Of Living Index
- Median Home Price / Median Income (lower is better)
- Median Income / Median Rent (Higher is better)
- Median Home Price
You can then compare these metrics in each of the places in Georgia to figure out which is the most expensive.
You are left with a “Cost of Living Index” by taking the average rank of each of these metrics for each city.
So we used that cost of living index to rank all of the 131 places in Georgia that have more than 5,000 people.
The place with the highest cost of living in Georgia according to the data is Decatur. We updated this article for 2026. This article is our eleventh time ranking the most expensive places to live in Georgia.
Summary: Taking A Chunk Out Of Your Paycheck In Georgia For 2026
Well, there you have it, the places in Georgia that have the highest cost of living, with Decatur ranking as the most expensive city in the Peach State.
The most expensive cities in Georgia are Decatur, Brookhaven, Milton, Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Roswell, Dahlonega, and Peachtree City.
Here’s a look at the most affordable cities in Georgia according to the data:
- Fort Valley
- Waycross
- Camilla
For more Georgia reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Georgia
- Cheapest Places To Live In Georgia
- Most Dangerous Places In Georgia
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Georgia
- Safest Places In Georgia
- Worst Places To Live In Georgia
Most Expensive Cities In Georgia
| Rank | City | Cost Of Living | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price | Home/Income Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Decatur | 148 | 24,518 | $139,397 | $279,470 | 2.0x |
| 2 | Brookhaven | 144 | 57,855 | $117,663 | $741,428 | 6.3x |
| 3 | Milton | 143 | 41,546 | $171,295 | $941,273 | 5.5x |
| 4 | Alpharetta | 137 | 66,855 | $147,612 | $726,349 | 4.9x |
| 5 | Dunwoody | 136 | 51,758 | $121,903 | $675,944 | 5.5x |
| 6 | Sandy Springs | 135 | 107,087 | $104,340 | $691,063 | 6.6x |
| 7 | Johns Creek | 132 | 81,988 | $160,093 | $703,497 | 4.4x |
| 8 | Roswell | 129 | 92,621 | $128,654 | $658,156 | 5.1x |
| 9 | Dahlonega | 127 | 7,299 | $77,516 | $382,572 | 4.9x |
| 10 | Peachtree City | 126 | 39,576 | $113,987 | $573,532 | 5.0x |
| 11 | Peachtree Corners | 124 | 42,373 | $82,139 | $556,224 | 6.8x |
| 12 | Suwanee | 124 | 22,349 | $103,260 | $607,321 | 5.9x |
| 13 | Atlanta | 119 | 505,268 | $85,652 | $385,599 | 4.5x |
| 14 | Braselton | 119 | 15,178 | $120,984 | $447,114 | 3.7x |
| 15 | Marietta | 118 | 62,263 | $72,725 | $471,587 | 6.5x |
| 16 | Smyrna | 118 | 56,633 | $100,061 | $447,947 | 4.5x |
| 17 | Chamblee | 117 | 30,895 | $84,452 | $479,014 | 5.7x |
| 18 | Flowery Branch | 115 | 10,925 | $103,942 | $425,109 | 4.1x |
| 19 | Holly Springs | 114 | 18,627 | $113,992 | $433,919 | 3.8x |
| 20 | Tyrone | 114 | 7,896 | $135,691 | $526,789 | 3.9x |
| 21 | Sugar Hill | 112 | 26,128 | $107,389 | $461,262 | 4.3x |
| 22 | Senoia | 112 | 5,589 | $124,964 | $507,727 | 4.1x |
| 23 | Woodstock | 111 | 37,381 | $103,496 | $460,206 | 4.4x |
| 24 | Duluth | 111 | 32,426 | $95,331 | $448,806 | 4.7x |
| 25 | Richmond Hill | 111 | 18,181 | $92,824 | $420,903 | 4.5x |
| 26 | Canton | 110 | 35,741 | $80,091 | $514,411 | 6.4x |
| 27 | Doraville | 110 | 11,134 | $67,235 | $366,889 | 5.5x |
| 28 | Pooler | 109 | 28,466 | $91,766 | $351,154 | 3.8x |
| 29 | St. Marys | 109 | 19,166 | $74,288 | $309,203 | 4.2x |
| 30 | Norcross | 109 | 18,007 | $75,266 | $327,599 | 4.4x |
| 31 | Newnan | 108 | 44,235 | $82,292 | $363,872 | 4.4x |
| 32 | Buford | 108 | 17,997 | $69,471 | $469,651 | 6.8x |
| 33 | Fayetteville | 107 | 19,719 | $82,188 | $455,205 | 5.5x |
| 34 | Kennesaw | 106 | 34,605 | $83,356 | $403,298 | 4.8x |
| 35 | Loganville | 106 | 15,527 | $83,605 | $392,226 | 4.7x |
| 36 | Jefferson | 106 | 14,990 | $109,828 | $416,352 | 3.8x |
| 37 | Port Wentworth | 106 | 12,892 | $79,731 | $290,498 | 3.6x |
| 38 | Cartersville | 105 | 24,074 | $84,437 | $323,099 | 3.8x |
| 39 | Snellville | 105 | 21,620 | $89,896 | $355,607 | 4.0x |
| 40 | Cumming | 105 | 8,469 | $85,868 | $603,208 | 7.0x |
| 41 | Lilburn | 104 | 15,390 | $63,581 | $397,447 | 6.3x |
| 42 | Gainesville | 103 | 45,032 | $66,974 | $373,267 | 5.6x |
| 43 | Acworth | 103 | 22,473 | $83,539 | $409,265 | 4.9x |
| 44 | Kingsland | 103 | 19,627 | $77,944 | $297,403 | 3.8x |
| 45 | Powder Springs | 102 | 18,009 | $105,070 | $363,228 | 3.5x |
| 46 | College Park | 102 | 14,712 | $51,635 | $277,093 | 5.4x |
| 47 | Stockbridge | 101 | 35,737 | $70,136 | $289,838 | 4.1x |
| 48 | Thomasville | 101 | 18,666 | $49,673 | $232,158 | 4.7x |
| 49 | Dacula | 101 | 7,444 | $100,821 | $448,400 | 4.4x |
| 50 | Savannah | 100 | 147,898 | $57,137 | $326,508 | 5.7x |
| 51 | Douglasville | 100 | 37,536 | $79,107 | $301,699 | 3.8x |
| 52 | McDonough | 100 | 30,947 | $75,343 | $334,349 | 4.4x |
| 53 | Villa Rica | 100 | 18,551 | $87,803 | $311,754 | 3.6x |
| 54 | Dallas | 100 | 14,714 | $75,545 | $354,267 | 4.7x |
| 55 | Locust Grove | 100 | 10,532 | $75,083 | $324,431 | 4.3x |
| 56 | Austell | 100 | 8,447 | $72,938 | $292,180 | 4.0x |
| 57 | Lawrenceville | 99 | 30,954 | $61,561 | $382,152 | 6.2x |
| 58 | Grovetown | 99 | 17,014 | $85,660 | $304,549 | 3.6x |
| 59 | Covington | 99 | 14,584 | $58,810 | $292,186 | 5.0x |
| 60 | Lovejoy | 99 | 11,508 | $71,612 | $279,096 | 3.9x |
| 61 | Hampton | 99 | 8,687 | $75,052 | $307,291 | 4.1x |
| 62 | Hapeville | 99 | 6,630 | $95,714 | $265,298 | 2.8x |
| 63 | East Point | 98 | 38,335 | $68,598 | $231,600 | 3.4x |
| 64 | Fairburn | 98 | 16,831 | $91,897 | $321,970 | 3.5x |
| 65 | Clarkston | 98 | 14,557 | $48,564 | $267,835 | 5.5x |
| 66 | Commerce | 98 | 8,013 | $60,961 | $334,904 | 5.5x |
| 67 | Bremen | 98 | 7,488 | $93,780 | $290,336 | 3.1x |
| 68 | Hiram | 98 | 5,231 | $85,119 | $312,225 | 3.7x |
| 69 | Union City | 97 | 27,728 | $49,549 | $231,232 | 4.7x |
| 70 | Carrollton | 97 | 27,392 | $54,379 | $285,668 | 5.3x |
| 71 | Winder | 97 | 19,437 | $63,779 | $338,264 | 5.3x |
| 72 | Conyers | 97 | 18,512 | $63,140 | $297,596 | 4.7x |
| 73 | Calhoun | 97 | 18,183 | $58,750 | $273,432 | 4.7x |
| 74 | Oakwood | 97 | 5,862 | $67,917 | $322,538 | 4.7x |
| 75 | Columbus | 96 | 203,711 | $58,073 | $173,152 | 3.0x |
| 76 | Garden City | 96 | 10,426 | $47,814 | $272,348 | 5.7x |
| 77 | Auburn | 96 | 8,711 | $77,034 | $365,246 | 4.7x |
| 78 | Warner Robins | 94 | 82,990 | $66,970 | $212,129 | 3.2x |
| 79 | Perry | 94 | 23,001 | $76,909 | $273,008 | 3.5x |
| 80 | Monroe | 94 | 15,648 | $44,656 | $371,278 | 8.3x |
| 81 | Centerville | 94 | 8,505 | $68,922 | $227,613 | 3.3x |
| 82 | Stone Mountain | 94 | 6,623 | $46,973 | $268,438 | 5.7x |
| 83 | Barnesville | 94 | 6,121 | $57,411 | $258,106 | 4.5x |
| 84 | Byron | 94 | 5,971 | $85,596 | $263,141 | 3.1x |
| 85 | Jackson | 94 | 5,741 | $46,191 | $283,113 | 6.1x |
| 86 | Social Circle | 94 | 5,217 | $88,591 | $361,856 | 4.1x |
| 87 | Valdosta | 93 | 55,252 | $45,925 | $210,104 | 4.6x |
| 88 | Rome | 93 | 38,189 | $54,435 | $229,354 | 4.2x |
| 89 | Hinesville | 93 | 35,679 | $60,028 | $237,453 | 4.0x |
| 90 | Dalton | 93 | 34,538 | $63,577 | $242,582 | 3.8x |
| 91 | LaGrange | 93 | 32,078 | $43,708 | $236,812 | 5.4x |
| 92 | Riverdale | 93 | 14,792 | $63,455 | $214,168 | 3.4x |
| 93 | Bainbridge | 93 | 14,404 | $45,422 | $172,159 | 3.8x |
| 94 | Temple | 93 | 5,901 | $91,180 | $284,500 | 3.1x |
| 95 | Milledgeville | 92 | 16,748 | $41,616 | $244,327 | 5.9x |
| 96 | Cairo | 92 | 10,055 | $40,920 | $178,783 | 4.4x |
| 97 | Glennville | 92 | 5,179 | $52,844 | $203,965 | 3.9x |
| 98 | Morrow | 91 | 6,364 | $73,693 | $216,943 | 2.9x |
| 99 | Rockmart | 91 | 5,204 | $56,828 | $254,775 | 4.5x |
| 100 | Statesboro | 90 | 34,149 | $44,737 | $276,367 | 6.2x |