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City Report · GA

Buford

Pop. 17,997·17th most expensive in Georgia·Buford rents are up 7.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,156/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.2%
Month-over-Month
+2.1%
vs US Median
+$194
Reported rents (1)
$1,600/mo median
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Buford · $2,156
More expensive than 67% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
66/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Buford's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,156/mo
Expected by trend
$2,349/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Buford's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,825
1 BR
$1,910
2 BR
$2,115
3 BR
$2,550
4 BR+
$3,050
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,115/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,156 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
$25,872/yr
At $2,156/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.2% YoY, +2.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Buford, GA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 29.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
17,997
Median income
$69,471
Median age
34.4
Renters
31.8%
Age distribution
33.7%
16.7%
28.1%
12.3%
Under 1833.7%
18–3416.7%
35–5428.1%
55–649.1%
65+12.3%
Gender
51.4%
48.6%
Male51.4%
Female48.6%
Race & ethnicity
49.1%
31.9%
White49.1%
Black9.4%
Hispanic31.9%
Asian8.9%
Other0.8%
Education (25+)
18.5%
29.6%
22.6%
29.3%
No HS diploma18.5%
HS diploma29.6%
Some college22.6%
Bachelor's+29.3%
Housing tenure
68.2%
31.8%
Owner68.2%
Renter31.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Buford, GA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,629 → $2,156
up 32.4%
Income
$54,321 → $69,471
up 27.9%
Population
16,811 → 17,997
up 7.1%
Renter share
34.4% → 31.8%
-2.6 pts
Bachelor's+
27.8% → 29.3%
+1.5 pts
Median age
36.3 → 34.4
-1.9 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Buford, GA has increased by $527 per month, settling near $2,156 after starting the period at $1,629. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $54,321 in 2021 to $69,471 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 4.5 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 16,811 to 17,997 between 2021 and 2024, a 7.1% change. About 31.8% of households rent today, against 34.4% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Buford, GA market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Buford

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

Can you afford rent in Buford on your salary?

At $2,156/mo, how Buford rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Buford rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Buford

About renting in Buford, GA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Buford is $2,156/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,825/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,115/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,910/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,550/mo.

At 37% of local median household income ($69,471/yr), Buford ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Buford an affordable city for renters?

Buford is considered moderate for renters. At $2,156/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($69,471/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Buford slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Buford?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $86,000/year (~$41/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,156/mo in Buford. The local median household income is $69,471/yr, meaning the typical Buford household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Buford?

Rent in Buford has increased 7.2% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Buford neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Buford are 30518 ($2,051/mo), and 30519 ($2,132/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Buford is $2,156/mo.

How does Buford rent compare to other cities in Georgia?

Buford is one of the pricier cities in Georgia for rent, ranking #17 out of 133 tracked cities at $2,156/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Buford?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Buford ($2,156/mo): Oakwood ($1,630/mo), Flowery Branch ($1,772/mo), Suwanee ($1,878/mo).

What percentage of Buford residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.8% of Buford households are renters, while 68.2% are owner-occupied. Buford leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Buford rent compare to the national average?

Buford's median rent of $2,156/mo is $194 (10%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Georgia, it ranks #17 out of 133 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
37%
MODERATE

At $2,156/mo, rent takes ~37% of Buford's median household income ($69,471/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Buford 37%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.99%
Run the Buford affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Buford
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Buford, GA

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