City Report · GA

Rome

Pop. 38,189·127th most expensive in Georgia·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,278/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.4%
Month-over-Month
+1.0%
vs US Median
-$654
Reported rents
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Rome · $1,278
More affordable than 89% of US cities · National median $1,932/mo
Rent Reality Score
59/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Rome's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,278/mo
Expected by trend
$1,341/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Rome's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$820
1 BR
$895
2 BR
$1,175
3 BR
$1,480
4 BR+
$1,715
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,175/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,278 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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in Rome is 0.1% below its high of $1,279 in May 2026, at $1,278 as of September 2026.

Past year vs. the rest of Georgia

Rent in Rome changed +1.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 115 Georgia cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.3%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($54,435) is $1,361 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,175); a 3-bedroom is $1,480.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Rome. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost
$15,336/yr
At $1,278/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (1.4% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.4% YoY, +1.0% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

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Demographics

Who lives here

Rome, GA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 28.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
38,189
Median income
$54,435
Median age
37.1
Renters
50.8%
Age distribution
23.8%
23.4%
25%
16.4%
Under 1823.8%
18–3423.4%
35–5425%
55–6411.5%
65+16.4%
Gender
46.9%
53.1%
Male46.9%
Female53.1%
Race & ethnicity
55.6%
22.7%
20.5%
White55.6%
Black22.7%
Hispanic20.5%
Asian2.2%
Education (25+)
17.8%
26.1%
27.7%
28.4%
No HS diploma17.8%
HS diploma26.1%
Some college27.7%
Bachelor's+28.4%
Housing tenure
49.2%
50.8%
Owner49.2%
Renter50.8%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Rome, GA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,131 → $1,278
up 13.0%
Income
$40,000 → $54,435
up 36.1%
Population
37,509 → 38,189
up 1.8%
Renter share
51% → 50.8%
-0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
25% → 28.4%
+3.4 pts
Median age
37.7 → 37.1
-0.6 yrs

The median rent in Rome, GA stood at $1,131 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,278, reflecting a 13.0% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $40,000 to $54,435 across the same window, up 36.1% versus 2021. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 1.8% since 2021, moving from about 37,509 residents to roughly 38,189. College-educated residents now make up 28.4% of adults here, versus 25% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Rome, GA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Rome on your salary?

At $1,278/mo, how Rome rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Rome rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Rome

About renting in Rome, GA

Last updated: October 17, 2026

The median rent in Rome is $1,278/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $820/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,175/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $895/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,480/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($54,435/yr), Rome ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in Rome?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (about $25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,278/mo in Rome. The local median household income is $54,435/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in Rome?

Rent in Rome has risen 1.4% over the past year as of September 2026. It sits 0.1% below its high of $1,279 in May 2026.

Which Rome neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Rome are 30161 ($1,254/mo), and 30165 ($1,297/mo). Citywide, the median rent is $1,278/mo.

How does Rome rent compare to other cities in Georgia?

Rome is one of the more affordable among Georgia cities for rent, ranking #127 of 133 tracked cities at $1,278/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in Rome changed +1.3%, against a typical +2.3% across the 115 Georgia cities Zillow tracks.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,278/mo, rent takes ~28% of Rome's median household income ($54,435/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Rome 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.99%
Run the Rome affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Rome
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Rome, GA

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