Rental prices are peachy in some parts of Georgia.
Georgia, also known as the Peach State, has plenty more to offer outside the metro Atlanta area. With nearly 10 million residents, the state features mountain views, thriving cultural hubs and smaller towns with rich histories.
Whether you’re looking for a little more space or a bit of nature, here are the cheapest places to live in Georgia.
Georgia average rent prices
With Georgia gaining more recognition through Hollywood and its music and tech industries, it’s only a matter of time before everyone wants to call the state home.
While Atlanta neighborhoods continue to rise, luckily, you can find more affordable one-bedrooms for $1,377 a month on average — a slight change year-over-year — across the state.
The cheapest cities in Georgia for renters
While most new Georgia residents tend to stick closer to metro Atlanta, don’t knock the rest of the state. If you go out a little bit farther from Atlanta, you’ll get more space and even a yard for your money.
One thing to keep in mind is distance and time in traffic — Atlanta highway traffic is infamous for a reason so take that into account. Take a look at the 10 cheapest places to live in Georgia for renters below and pack your bags.
10. Dalton
Source: Rent.com / Dalton Village
- One-bedroom average rent price: $809
- Average rent change in the past year: 13.12%
Did you know that Dalton is world-famous for its carpet stores? You’ll see them lining I-75 as you drive by. But it’s also a city nestled in the Appalachian Mountains with access to hiking trails, waterfalls, mountain biking at Raising Woods and more. Live music is everywhere around this town, so whether you’re looking for cultural events, a little history or an art exhibit, Dalton has it.
Convenient to both Atlanta and Chattanooga, Dalton remains affordable despite an average rent increase of 13 percent in the past year.
9. Cartersville
- One-bedroom average rent price: $804
- Average rent change in the past year: 0.63%
Located in Bartow County, Cartersville takes the No. 9 spot on our list of cheapest cities to live in Georgia. Did you know that the first Coca-Cola outdoor wall ad was painted in Cartersville? The city’s museums, including the Booth Western Art Museum and the Tellus Science Museum, are both gems within the city limits.
The city’s rent only saw a slight decrease year over year but remains affordable for those looking to spend time outdoors at Red Top Mountain and fall seasons near Pettit Creek Farms, hanging out with llamas and camels.
8. Clarkston
Source: Rent.com / Parc 1000
- One-bedroom average rent price: $781
- Average rent change in the past year: -6.96%
Up-and-coming Clarkston is about 17 miles away from Atlanta’s city center, making it an ideal location for those that seek to save a few pennies on rent but work in the city. Clarkston has a robust immigrant population, leading to an international dining scene including Indian, Ethiopian, Nepali and other cuisines.
You’ll find plenty of opportunities available to head outdoors, including Stone Mountain Park and the South Peachtree Creek Trail.
7. Forest Park
- One-bedroom average rent price: $773
- Average rent change in the past year: 8.51%
Less than 10 miles from Atlanta, Forest Park’s proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport makes it convenient for business travelers. But for those seeking a little bit of nature, you can spend the weekend at the Reynolds Nature Preserve, a 146-acre preserve with hiking trails, gardens and even a Civil War-era farm.
If you work in downtown Atlanta, Forest Park is an affordable choice as it’s among the cheapest cities in Georgia. Yet, you get the benefit of proximity and access to public transportation.
6. Albany
- One-bedroom average rent price: $758
- Average rent change in the past year: -3.10%
Bordering the Flint River, Albany ranks as the eighth-largest city in Georgia. The town has several historic sites related to Native Americans and the Civil Rights Movement. Albany has suffered from several natural disasters, including recent Hurricane Michael and tornadoes.
But the city has rebuilt time and time again with the local economy driven by the Marine Corps base on site. The three-mile Riverfront trail goes along the Flint River, and it’s a great way to spend an afternoon.
5. Athens
- One-bedroom average rent price: $740
- Average rent change in the past year: -13.02%
If you’re looking for more affordable rent but want to enjoy the cultural benefits, Athens is for you. Located in Northeast Georgia and home to the University of Georgia, Athens is certainly more than a college town.
Don’t miss the Firefly Trail on a bike or a visit to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s beautiful garden and trails. The Georgia Museum of Art offers a glimpse into the Civil War and relevant state history. Historic live music venue Georgia Theatre has hosted artists of all genres for several decades.
4. Warner Robins
- One-bedroom average rent price: $735
- Average rent change in the past year: -2.91%
Right off I-75, you’ll find Warner Robins, known mainly for its Air Force Base and proximity to Macon. Both CNN Money and Business Week have named this Georgia city one of America’s best places to live and number four on our list.
The city has seen a decrease in rent of nearly 3 percent for a one-bedroom. You can see the community come together at Warner Robins Little Theatre for its annual plays and Houston Lake in the summers for both swimming and golfing.
3. Rincon
Source: Rent.com / Jasper Village
- One-bedroom average rent price: $734
- Average rent change in the past year: 0.26%
With a long history as a railroad town, Rincon had a significant role in the Civil War. You can see these important markers throughout the town, thanks to the Georgia Historical Society. Nowadays, Rincon sees a lot of young families as a Savannah suburb.
While rents only decreased slightly, this Georgian city remains affordable while offering family-friendly activities like Madrac Farms’ corn maze and playgrounds at Library and Freedom parks.
2. Cumming
- One-bedroom average rent price: $662
- Average rent change in the past year: -44.57%
While some may say Cumming is part of the metro Atlanta area, don’t be fooled by its closeness. At about 40 miles away, it’s quite the trek if you work in the city, but this is also the upside of Cumming.
Away from the city’s bustle, you have access to nature via the Sawnee Mountain Preserve, a 963-acre area with hiking trails, playgrounds and more. Not too far from there, you can jump on Lake Sidney Lanier in the summers, and if you’re a golfer, there are several challenging golf clubs. The many annual Cumming festivals will make you feel right at home in this community.
1. Valdosta
- One-bedroom average rent price: $647
- Average rent change in the past year: 8%
Nicknamed “Azalea City” for its hundreds of blooms throughout the city, Valdosta has its share of historic architecture like the Crescent at Valdosta Garden Center. The 23-room mansion was built in 1898, and it’s now part of the National Register of Historic Places.
Elsewhere in town, you can catch a musical at the Peach State Summer Theatre or visit the South Georgia Pecan Co. to see how pecans get processed. Valdosta’s one-bedroom rent prices have remained mostly steady, with only an average increase of 8 percent in the past year.
The 25 cheapest places to live in Georgia
Thinking of casting a wider net for your rental search in the Peach State? We’ve got the 25 cheapest places to live in Georgia below.
Methodology
Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.com’s multifamily rental property inventory of one-bedroom apartments. We pulled our data in December 2020, and it goes back for one year. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each individual unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets.
We excluded cities with insufficient inventory from this report.
The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
Source: rent.com