Cost of Living in Clarkston, GA

Population 14,560 · Georgia · Data vintage 2023

96
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $46,495, median household incomes in Clarkston land roughly 38% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. At 9.2%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Clarkston sits roughly 11 miles southeast of Sandy Springs — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 52% lower than Sandy Springs' $584,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 92
Rent 103

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

About the Cost of Living in Clarkston

The median home value in Clarkston is $279,500 — 8% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,355/month, 3% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $46,495/year is 38% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.2%, 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, Clarkston has a cost of living index of 96 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 4% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$279,500
8% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$264,563
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,355/mo
3% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,560/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.2x
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 16.5%
Renter-occupied 83.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,355
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,969/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
35.0 min
30% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
62.6%
Carpooled
19.3%
Public transit
5.7%
Walked
0.0%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
10.2%

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
$46,495
38% below avg
Per Capita Income
$19,015
Unemployment Rate
9.2%
91% above avg
Poverty Rate
29.1%
Labor Force Participation
70.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.6%
Graduate degree 6.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 26.6
Male median age 24.6
Female median age 27.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 53 — Moderate
38.4%
Good air days/yr
136
Max AQI recorded
282
PM2.5 days
63
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Clarkston, GA?

Clarkston has a cost index of 96 (100 = national average). It is 4% below the national average.

What is average rent in Clarkston, GA?

The median gross rent in Clarkston is $1,355 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Clarkston?

The median home value in Clarkston is $279,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Clarkston?

The median household income in Clarkston is $46,495 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Clarkston, GA?

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

Is Clarkston, GA affordable?

Clarkston is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 96 (100 = US average).

Clarkston at a Glance

Population
14,560
Median Income
$46,495
Home Value
$279,500
Median Rent
$1,355/mo
Unemployment
9.2%
Sales Tax
7.3%
View all cities in Georgia →
🗺️ County data for Georgia

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs