Cost of Living in Buford, GA
Population 17,611 · Georgia · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Buford sits on the smaller end of the Georgia city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.
Buford is about 25 miles northeast of Sandy Springs, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 41% lower than Sandy Springs' $584,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Buford
The median home value in Buford is $346,400 — 14% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,256/month, 4% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $71,598/year is 4% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.3%, below 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, Buford has a cost of living index of 106 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Buford, GA?
Buford has a cost index of 106 (100 = national average). It is 6% above the national average.
What is average rent in Buford, GA?
The median gross rent in Buford is $1,256 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Buford?
The median home value in Buford is $346,400 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Buford?
The median household income in Buford is $71,598 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Buford, GA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Buford is 7.3%. The Georgia state income tax top rate is 5.5%.
Is Buford, GA affordable?
Buford is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 106 (100 = US average).
Buford at a Glance
- Population
- 17,611
- Median Income
- $71,598
- Home Value
- $346,400
- Median Rent
- $1,256/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.3%
- Sales Tax
- 7.3%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Georgia Rankings
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