City Report · GA

Decatur

Pop. 24,518·74th most expensive in Georgia·Rental market data updated monthly for Decatur, GA
Median rent (all units)
$1,763/mo
Year-over-Year
+0.4%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
-$199
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Decatur · $1,763
More affordable than 56% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
79/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 15% below what Decatur's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,763/mo
Expected by trend
$2,065/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Decatur's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,572
1 BR
$1,634
2 BR
$1,808
3 BR
$2,178
4 BR+
$2,620
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,808/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,763 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
$21,156/yr
At $1,763/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.4% YoY, +0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Decatur, GA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 76.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
24,518
Median income
$139,397
Median age
39.8
Renters
36.1%
Age distribution
27.5%
16.3%
29.4%
12.1%
14.7%
Under 1827.5%
18–3416.3%
35–5429.4%
55–6412.1%
65+14.7%
Gender
47.9%
52.1%
Male47.9%
Female52.1%
Race & ethnicity
67.2%
12.6%
White67.2%
Black12.6%
Hispanic8.9%
Asian4.9%
Other6.5%
Education (25+)
12.5%
76.3%
No HS diploma4.6%
HS diploma6.6%
Some college12.5%
Bachelor's+76.3%
Housing tenure
63.9%
36.1%
Owner63.9%
Renter36.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Decatur, GA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,372 → $1,763
up 28.5%
Income
$123,617 → $139,397
up 12.8%
Population
24,334 → 24,518
up 0.8%
Renter share
32.8% → 36.1%
+3.3 pts
Bachelor's+
74.6% → 76.3%
+1.7 pts
Median age
38.6 → 39.8
+1.2 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Decatur, GA has increased by $391 per month, settling near $1,763 after starting the period at $1,372. Median household income grew from $123,617 to $139,397 between 2021 and 2024, a 12.8% shift. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 15.7 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. About 36.1% of households rent today, against 32.8% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Decatur, GA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Decatur on your salary?

At $1,763/mo, how Decatur rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Decatur rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Decatur

About renting in Decatur, GA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Decatur is $1,763/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,572/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,808/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,634/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,178/mo.

At 15% of local median household income ($139,397/yr), Decatur ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Decatur an affordable city for renters?

Decatur is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,763/mo, rent takes approximately 15% of the local median household income ($139,397/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Decatur falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Decatur?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $71,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,763/mo in Decatur. The local median household income is $139,397/yr, meaning the typical Decatur household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Decatur?

Rent in Decatur has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.4% change year over year as of August 2026.

Which Decatur neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Decatur are 30032 ($1,631/mo), 30034 ($1,729/mo), and 30035 ($1,771/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Decatur is $1,763/mo.

How does Decatur rent compare to other cities in Georgia?

Decatur is middle-of-the-pack for Georgia for rent, ranking #74 out of 133 tracked cities at $1,763/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Decatur?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Decatur ($1,763/mo): Clarkston ($1,408/mo), Stone Mountain ($1,581/mo), Gresham Park ($1,654/mo).

What percentage of Decatur residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 36.1% of Decatur households are renters, while 63.9% are owner-occupied. Decatur leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Decatur rent compare to the national average?

Decatur's median rent of $1,763/mo is $199 (10%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Georgia, it ranks #74 out of 133 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
15%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,763/mo, rent takes ~15% of Decatur's median household income ($139,397/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Decatur 15%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.99%
Run the Decatur affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Decatur, GA

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