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City Report · GA

Athens

Pop. 127,345·99th most expensive in Georgia·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate
Median rent (all units)
$1,629/mo
Year-over-Year
-3.0%
Month-over-Month
-2.0%
vs US Median
-$333
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Athens · $1,629
More affordable than 67% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
82/100
Great value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 16% below what Athens's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,629/mo
Expected by trend
$1,935/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Athens's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,035
1 BR
$1,073
2 BR
$1,193
3 BR
$1,580
4 BR+
$1,690
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,193/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,629 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$19,548/yr
At $1,629/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 3.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-3.0% YoY, -2.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Athens, GA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 47.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
127,345
Median age
29.4
Renters
59.3%
Age distribution
16.6%
41.7%
20.6%
12.4%
Under 1816.6%
18–3441.7%
35–5420.6%
55–648.7%
65+12.4%
Gender
47.4%
52.6%
Male47.4%
Female52.6%
Race & ethnicity
56.6%
25.8%
White56.6%
Black25.8%
Hispanic11.9%
Asian4.3%
Other1.4%
Education (25+)
19.4%
22.9%
47.3%
No HS diploma10.5%
HS diploma19.4%
Some college22.9%
Bachelor's+47.3%
Housing tenure
40.7%
59.3%
Owner40.7%
Renter59.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Athens, GA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,260 → $1,629
up 29.3%
Population
126,118 → 127,345
up 1.0%
Renter share
59.3% → 59.3%
+0.0 pts
Bachelor's+
47.1% → 47.3%
+0.2 pts
Median age
28.5 → 29.4
+0.9 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Athens, GA has shifted from $1,260 to $1,629, up 29.3% since 2021. Census counts show Athens, GA adding about 1,227 residents over the five-year window, up 1.0% on net. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Athens, GA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Athens

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View Athens rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Athens on your salary?

At $1,629/mo, how Athens rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Athens rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Athens. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Athens

About renting in Athens, GA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Athens is $1,629/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,035/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,193/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,073/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,580/mo.

At 27% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Athens ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 3.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Athens an affordable city for renters?

Athens is considered affordable for renters. At $1,629/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Athens falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Athens?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $65,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,629/mo in Athens.

Is rent going up or down in Athens?

Rent in Athens has decreased 3.0% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Athens neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Athens are 30601 ($1,582/mo), 30607 ($1,618/mo), and 30605 ($1,622/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Athens is $1,629/mo.

How does Athens rent compare to other cities in Georgia?

Athens is one of the more affordable cities in Georgia for rent, ranking #99 out of 133 tracked cities at $1,629/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Athens?

Commerce is nearby and more affordable at $1,549/mo, which is $80 less than Athens.

What percentage of Athens residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 59.3% of Athens households are renters, while 40.7% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Athens has a strong rental market.

How does Athens rent compare to the national average?

Athens's median rent of $1,629/mo is $333 (17%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Georgia, it ranks #99 out of 133 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,629/mo, rent takes ~27% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Athens 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.99%
Run the Athens affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Athens, GA

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