A city known by many names, “the Big Peach,” “The ATL,” or even, “Hotlanta,” Atlanta, Georgia, is known for its Southern hospitality and rich history. And it’s no surprise that nearly 500K people call this metropolis home. If you’re currently living in Atlanta or relocating from another city, you may find that Atlanta’s median home sale price of $403,750 is outside of your budget.
But, if you don’t see yourself living anywhere else, there’s no need to worry. We’ve rounded up the ten best affordable suburbs within driving distance of Atlanta that may fit better with how much house you can afford. That way, you can explore all Atlanta has to offer, from Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park to the Georgia Aquarium, without paying the premium of living in the city.
#1: Forest Park, GA
Median home price: $180,000
Driving distance from Atlanta: 20 minutes
Forest Park, GA homes for sale
Forest Park, GA apartments for rent
With a population of 19,932, Forest Park is the most affordable Atlanta suburb on our list. Forest Park’s median home sale price is significantly less – about $220K – than in Atlanta and under 30 minutes away from downtown. Living in Forest Park, you’ll have close access to the Atlanta State Farmers Market and Starr Park, so make sure to enjoy the great outdoors and pick up some fresh peaches while you’re at it.
#2: Morrow, GA
Median home price: $215,000
Driving distance from Atlanta: 25 minutes
Morrow, GA homes for sale
Morrow, GA apartments for rent
Coming in as Atlanta’s second-best affordable suburb is Morrow. Only 25 minutes from Atlanta’s city center, you’ll find yourself grabbing some BBQ for lunch in no time. One popular thing to do in Morrow includes visiting Reynolds Nature Preserve where you can watch butterflies during the spring and summer. When living in this suburb of just over 6,500 people, you can also spend time cheering on the Clayton State University Lakers’ sports teams.
#3: East Point, GA
Median home price: $264,650
Driving distance from Atlanta: 15 minutes
East Point, GA homes for sale
East Point, GA apartments for rent
A recognizable suburb of Atlanta is East Point, where the home prices are about $140K less than in Atlanta. East Point is a great suburb to consider moving to and has just about 38,400 people living there. From hiking through the hidden forests at Connally Nature Park to supporting the many local businesses in town, you’ll have plenty of activities to do throughout East Point.
#4: Redan, GA
Median home price: $265,000
Driving distance from Atlanta: 30 minutes
Redan, GA homes for sale
Redan, GA apartments for rent
Just 30 minutes away is the Atlanta suburb of Redan. With a population around 32,000, you’ll have a small-town feel while being able to explore Atlanta in your free time. If you find yourself moving to the fourth most affordable suburb, make sure to visit Redan Park for an afternoon picnic or a baseball game with friends.
#5: Conyers, GA
Median home price: $279,000
Driving distance from Atlanta: 30 minutes
Conyers, GA homes for sale
Conyers, GA apartments for rent
If you’ve been living in Atlanta for some time, you’ve probably heard about the suburb of Conyers. About 17,300 residents call this affordable city home, so you’ll have a fraction of Atlanta’s population and live outside of the hustle and bustle of everyday city life. There are plenty of places to add to your list of must-sees in Conyers, including Olde Town Conyers, the city’s historic district, and Lewis Vaughn Botanical Gardens, where you can see an impressive collection of native plants from Georgia’s Piedmont region.
#6: Panthersville, GA
Median home price: $280,000
Driving distance from Atlanta: 15 minutes
Pathersville, GA homes for sale
Pathersville, GA apartments for rent
Drive 15 minutes southeast of Atlanta and you’ll find the suburb of Panthersville, home to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation headquarters. With about 11,000 residents, moving to this affordable suburb can keep you close enough to Atlanta, while spending about $120K less on a home. In Panthersville, you’ll find Exchange Park which features splash pads for warm summer days and a hiking trail.
#7: College Park, GA
Median home price: $281,050
Driving distance from Atlanta: 20 minutes
College Park, GA homes for sale
College Park, GA apartments for rent
Next on our list of affordable Atlanta suburbs is College Park, which is almost 20 minutes away from the city center. With a population of 13,930, relocating to College Park will give you a smaller town atmosphere compared to the Big Peach. After moving to this affordable suburb, play a round of golf at the College Park Golf Course or explore the quaint downtown. You can also start planning your next vacation as you’re just minutes away from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
#8: Decatur, GA
Median home price: $290,500
Driving distance from Atlanta: 20 minutes
Decatur, GA homes for sale
Decatur, GA apartments for rent
Decatur is a great place to consider moving to with easy access to downtown Atlanta, just about 20 minutes away. About 24,000 people live in this affordable suburban town, but you’ll be surrounded by lots of small towns to explore in your free time. Popular things to do in Decatur include exploring the DeKalb History Center Museum, picking up some fresh produce from Your DeKalb Farmers Market, and going for a stroll at Glenlake Park.
#9: Powder Springs, GA
Median home price: $357,000
Driving distance from Atlanta: 35 minutes
Powder Springs, GA homes for sale
Powder Springs, GA apartments for rent
If you move to Powder Springs, you’ll find yourself in Atlanta in roughly 35 minutes without significant traffic. While Powder Springs only has a population of about 16,900, you won’t miss out on the great things that make this suburb great. Home to Silver Comet Trail and Seven Springs Water Park, you’ll have plenty of outdoor activities to do while living in Powder Springs.
#10: Tucker, GA
Median home price: $380,000
Driving distance from Atlanta: 25 minutes
Tucker, GA homes for sale
Tucker, GA apartments for rent
Last but not least on our list of most affordable Atlanta suburbs is Tucker. Located northeast of Atlanta, Tucker is only about a 25-minute drive away from the city center. Known for its natural areas, check out Friends of Tucker Nature Preserve, Kelley Cofer Park, or take a hike at nearby Probst Park. Tucker is also home to charming Main Street filled with local shops and restaurants. Each May, the city hosts Tucker Day, celebrating the city with a parade, live music, and food. If you’re not sure about buying your first home, you can check out the most affordable Atlanta suburbs to rent an apartment.
Methodology: Affordability based on whether a suburb is less than the median sale price of Atlanta and under a 30-minute drive from downtown Atlanta. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during March 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.
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