Rents are 11% below what Athens's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,782 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
August. Asking rents in Athens usually run 0.4% below trend in August and 0.5% above it in November, about $16 a month apart at today's median. Based on 11 years of data.
Rent in Athens is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2015.
Rent in Athens changed +2.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 115 Georgia cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.3%.
Rent in Athens is 53.2% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.
Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
The priciest of 4 ZIP codes in Athens, 30601 ($1,946/mo), costs 22% more than the cheapest, 30607 ($1,596/mo).
Commerce, 18 miles away, rents for 11% less ($1,592/mo), about $2,300 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Athens. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Athens, GA has changed in 5 years
Across the past five years, the going rent in Athens, GA has shifted from $1,286 to $1,782, up 38.6% 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.
Discussions about Athens
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Athens on your salary?
At $1,782/mo, how Athens rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Athens rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Athens. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Athens
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Athens is $1,782/mo as of October 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 30% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Athens ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.9% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Athens?
Is rent going up or down in Athens?
When is the cheapest time to rent in Athens?
Which Athens neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Athens rent compare to other cities in Georgia?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Athens?
At $1,782/mo, rent takes ~30% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Athens.
No discussions yet.