Best places to live in Georgia
We cover 12 places in Georgia, home to 1.93 million residents. The largest is Atlanta (529,000), the fastest growing since 2020 is Warner Robins (+9.2%), and the lowest metro price level is in Macon (88.5). The top state income tax rate is 5.19%. The average combined sales tax is 7.56%.
Best places to live in Georgia, ranked
Each city gets a score out of 100 from six official measures, weighted as shown: home prices compared with income (25%), household income (15%), population growth since 2020 (15%), short commutes (15%), comfortable months of weather (15%) and low poverty (15%). Scores compare all 546 large US cities, so a 70 in Georgia means the same as a 70 anywhere. See the national ranking and method.
| # | City | Score | Home value to income | Income | Growth | Commute | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warner Robins | 65 | 2.8× | $66,970 | +9.2% | 22 min | 5 |
| 2 | South Fulton | 56 | 3.8× | $82,324 | +4.4% | 33 min | 5 |
| 3 | Johns Creek | 56 | 3.9× | $160,093 | -2.5% | 30 min | 4 |
| 4 | Roswell | 54 | 4.4× | $128,654 | -1.4% | 27 min | 4 |
| 5 | Savannah | 50 | 4.4× | $57,137 | +1.1% | 21 min | 7 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 49 | 5.1× | $85,652 | +6.1% | 27 min | 5 |
| 7 | Augusta | 49 | 3.2× | $55,485 | +0% | 21 min | 5 |
| 8 | Mableton | 48 | 4.0× | $77,980 | +2.3% | 31 min | 5 |
| 9 | Columbus | 45 | 3.3× | $58,073 | -2.3% | 21 min | 4 |
| 10 | Macon | 45 | 3.4× | $51,234 | +0.1% | 22 min | 5 |
| 11 | Sandy Springs | 43 | 5.9× | $104,340 | -2.9% | 26 min | 4 |
| 12 | Athens | 36 | 5.6× | $52,974 | +1% | 21 min | 5 |
Best for retirees, young professionals or families? Every city page shows all four scores, and the city quiz ranks cities by what matters to you.
Largest cities in Georgia
| City | Population 2025 | Growth | Home value | Rent | Income | Price level | Jan high | Jul high |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 529,110 | +6.1% | $439,600 | $1,711 | $85,652 | 100.1 | 54° | 90° |
| Columbus | 202,171 | -2.3% | $193,900 | $1,106 | $58,073 | 89.3 | 59° | 93° |
| Augusta | 201,999 | +0% | $178,400 | $1,142 | $55,485 | 91.9 | 60° | 94° |
| Macon | 157,556 | +0.1% | $174,500 | $1,066 | $51,234 | 88.5 | 59° | 94° |
| Savannah | 149,440 | +1.1% | $248,900 | $1,382 | $57,137 | 95.2 | 61° | 92° |
| Athens | 128,612 | +1% | $299,200 | $1,219 | $52,974 | 93.3 | 55° | 92° |
| South Fulton | 112,820 | +4.4% | $309,800 | $1,702 | $82,324 | 100.1 | 54° | 90° |
| Sandy Springs | 105,013 | -2.9% | $619,800 | $1,870 | $104,340 | 100.1 | 52° | 89° |
| Roswell | 91,505 | -1.4% | $567,100 | $1,810 | $128,654 | 100.1 | 52° | 89° |
| Warner Robins | 87,761 | +9.2% | $185,700 | $1,212 | $66,970 | 93.8 | 58° | 91° |
| Johns Creek | 80,401 | -2.5% | $629,400 | $2,257 | $160,093 | 100.1 | 52° | 89° |
| Mableton | 78,820 | +2.3% | $313,100 | $1,472 | $77,980 | 100.1 | 53° | 84° |
Taxes in Georgia
Georgia has a flat income tax with a top rate of 5.19% in 2026. The state sales tax is 4%, and with the average local rate added it comes to 7.56%. Source: Tax Foundation, 2026. Local income taxes are not included.
Top parks and sights in Georgia
The Georgia parks, museums, landmarks and natural wonders people know best. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Georgia Aquarium Aquarium
- High Museum of Art Museum
- World of Coca-Cola Museum
- Zoo Atlanta Zoo
Places from Wikidata (CC0), ranked by how many Wikipedia language editions cover them.