Cost of Living in Blakely, GA

Population 5,276 · Georgia · Data vintage 2023

50
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Blakely is a smaller Georgia community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $52,656 and housing costs ($140,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. A poverty rate near 25% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Geographically, Blakely lies roughly 75 miles northwest of the nearest major metro, Tallahassee. Median home values run roughly 49% lower than Tallahassee's $276,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 46
Rent 55

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Blakely

The median home value in Blakely is $140,400 — 54% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $728/month, 45% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,656/year is 29% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.6%, above the national average of 4.8%. Georgia's top state income tax rate is 5.5% and the combined sales tax is 7.3%. Overall, Blakely has a cost of living index of 50 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 50% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$140,400
54% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$124,619
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$728/mo
45% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.1x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$773
1 BR
$817
2 BR
$984
3 BR
$1,289
4 BR
$1,520
Owner-occupied 54.0%
Renter-occupied 46.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$728
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,342/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
21.8 min
19% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.5%
Carpooled
18.5%
Walked
0.9%
Work from home
4.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 5.5%
Total Sales Tax 7.3%
State rate 4.0%
Avg local rate 3.4%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$52,656
29% below avg
Per Capita Income
$20,477
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
17% above avg
Poverty Rate
24.7%
Labor Force Participation
54.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 7.5%
Graduate degree 5.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33
Male median age 26.4
Female median age 37.1

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,945
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Blakely, GA?

Blakely has a cost index of 50 (100 = national average). It is 50% below the national average.

What is average rent in Blakely, GA?

The median gross rent in Blakely is $728 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Blakely?

The median home value in Blakely is $140,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Blakely?

The median household income in Blakely is $52,656 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Blakely, GA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Blakely is 7.3%. The Georgia state income tax top rate is 5.5%.

Is Blakely, GA affordable?

Yes, Blakely is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 50 — about 50% below the US national average of 100.

Blakely at a Glance

Population
5,276
Median Income
$52,656
Home Value
$140,400
Median Rent
$728/mo
Unemployment
5.6%
Sales Tax
7.3%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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