Whether you want to live in a big city or a small town, Georgia offers affordable housing options.
While many communities around Atlanta require home-buying budgets of more than $500,000, at least 10 towns in the state offer homes for less than one-third of that price.
If you’re ready to become a homeowner, check out these locations.
Affordable Georgia Cities and Typical Home Prices
| Ranking | City | Average Home Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Americus | $123,161 |
| 2 | Albany | $127,765 |
| 3 | Waycross | $147,456 |
| 4 | Moultrie | $162,780 |
| 5 | Macon | $166,089 |
| 6 | Forest Park | $168,174 |
| 7 | Columbus | $168,471 |
| 8 | Bainbridge | $169,437 |
| 9 | Augusta | $171,801 |
| 10 | Douglas | $175,761 |
1. Americus - $123,161
The most affordable town on our list, Americus, offers an estimated mortgage payment of just $938, according to our methodology. That’s much less than you’ll pay for rent in most of the state. Homebuyers here will have plenty of money left over each month to enjoy the area’s Southern-fare restaurants, golf courses, boutique shops, and museums.
2. Albany - $127,765
Albany, one of the larger cities on our list, boasts a population of nearly 70,000. Living here won't cost a fortune, though. Home prices have fallen slightly after peaking at just over $138,000 in 2024, making properties here even more affordable, with a typical estimated mortgage payment of $973 per month.
3. Waycross - $147,456
Waycross, an hour and a half northwest of Jacksonville, Florida, is more than just affordable: it’s also eligible for the zero-down USDA home loan program, making homeownership here that much more attainable. Conventional borrowers purchasing the typical home in Waycross can anticipate an estimated monthly mortgage payment of $1,123.
4. Moultrie - $162,780
Another southern Georgia gem is Moultrie. Founded in 1879, Moultrie boasts a population of around 14,500, and a scenic downtown area centered on the historic Colquitt County Courthouse. About an hour north of the Florida border, this town offers homes that average in the low $160s, affordable for just about any budget. The typical property in Moultrie comes with an estimated mortgage payment of $1,240 per month.
5. Macon - $166,089
Just an hour and a half south of Atlanta, Macon is another of the bigger cities on our list, with a population of around 153,000. The city’s also big on music, with the VisitMacon website touting the town as “Where Soul Lives,” with live music available seven nights a week. Home prices aren’t large, however: we estimate the typical mortgage payment here at just $1,265 per month.
6. Forest Park - $168,174
Situated just nine miles south of Atlanta, the reasonably priced suburb of Forest Park offers affordable living and easy access to the larger metro area's amenities. Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is just minutes away, as is the 150-acre Atlanta State Farmers Market. Thinking about buying a home in Forest Park? The average property comes with an estimated monthly mortgage payment of $1,281.
7. Columbus - $168,471
Located along the banks of the Chattahoochee River, Columbus, the second-largest city in Georgia, boasts more than 50 parks and is popular among outdoor enthusiasts for its whitewater rafting and kayaking. It’s also home to a sizable U.S. Army base, Fort Benning, the city’s largest employer. The average estimated monthly cost of a house in Columbus? A very reasonable $1,283.
8. Bainbridge - $169,437
Bainbridge, and its population of just over 15,000, offers a taste of classic southern hospitality combined with contemporary amenities and charm. Enjoy the outdoors? Bainbridge residents have easy access to Lake Seminole, a 37,500-acre reservoir great for boating and fishing. Estimated mortgage payments for the typical home here run just $1,290 per month.
9. Augusta - $171,801
The second-largest city on our list and the third-largest in the state, Augusta is home to just over 200,000 residents. You’ll find plenty of employment opportunities that will help you afford the reasonable home prices here. Companies like EZGO Textron golf car company, Graphic Packaging, Cardinal Health, Coca-Cola, and others support the local economy. The average estimated cost of purchasing a home? A cool $1,308.
10. Douglas - $175,761
Not only does Douglas attract homebuyers, thanks to ultra-low prices, but WWII buffs will enjoy it here, too. Visit the WWII Flight Training Museum, where thousands prepared to serve their country during the Second World War. Golfers will find themselves at home in Douglas, as well, as the city of just under 12,000 boasts four nearby courses. Homes here are still value-priced, with the typical property estimated to have a mortgage payment of $1,338 per month.
Get Pre-Approved for Your Georgia Home
Georgia is more affordable than most places in the U.S., and the above-mentioned areas are the least expensive in the state. From small southern towns like Americus and Douglas, to larger cities like Augusta and Columbus, there’s somewhere for everyone to call “home.” Find out how much you can afford by requesting your mortgage pre-approval today.
Methodology
To find the 10 most affordable housing markets in Georgia, we started with average home prices as reported on the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) Single-Family Home Time Series for November 2025. We assumed a 5% down payment, the typical requirement for first-time buyers. We then calculated the monthly payment on a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.395%, the recent 30-day average from rate marketplace I Can Buy based on a buyer with a 700 credit score putting 5% down. We added PMI costs per mortgage insurance provider MGIC and tax rates by state from TaxFoundation.org. Homeowner’s insurance estimates were calculated using Nerdwallet’s cost in each state for $300,000 in dwelling coverage. We multiplied this rate by 67.8%, the U.S. average of total market value represented by the structure according to ResiClub (since homeowners insurance is based on the structure, not total value). We then multiplied this rate by the average home’s total market value. We assumed no HOA dues. To increase relevancy, we limited eligible cities to the top 3,000 largest by population nationwide per Zillow data.
Estimated payments are for example purposes only. Not a commitment to lend.
