Cost of Living in Dahlonega, GA

Population 7,194 · Georgia · Data vintage 2023

120
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Dahlonega's demographic profile reads like a college town: median age of 22, and 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree — a share well above the national baseline. Housing and rent cycles track the academic calendar more than the broader Georgia economy. A poverty rate near 34% 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.

Located 45 miles northeast of Sandy Springs, Dahlonega falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 30% lower than Sandy Springs' $584,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 134
Rent 98

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

About the Cost of Living in Dahlonega

The median home value in Dahlonega is $409,100 — 34% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,290/month, 2% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $74,500/year is equal to than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.9%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 70.7°F and lows of 51.6°F. Overall, Dahlonega has a cost of living index of 120 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$409,100
34% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$375,341
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,290/mo
2% below avg
Zillow Rent
$2,125/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.4x
Favors renting
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 65.8%
Renter-occupied 34.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,290
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,904/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
28.3 min
5% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.2%
Carpooled
6.9%
Public transit
0.9%
Walked
11.7%
Work from home
7.2%

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
$74,500
0% below avg
Per Capita Income
$23,558
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
19% below avg
Poverty Rate
34.3%
Labor Force Participation
44.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 29.6%
Graduate degree 19.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 21.7
Male median age 21.6
Female median age 21.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
70.7°F
Avg Low
51.6°F
Annual Precip
52.4"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 515563727985888781726253
Low °F 343643505866706963524236
Precip" 4.954.654.783.984.014.234.424.733.893.854.184.71

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
3,854
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Dahlonega, GA?

Dahlonega has a cost index of 120 (100 = national average). It is 20% above the national average.

What is average rent in Dahlonega, GA?

The median gross rent in Dahlonega is $1,290 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Dahlonega?

The median home value in Dahlonega is $409,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Dahlonega?

The median household income in Dahlonega is $74,500 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Dahlonega, GA?

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

Is Dahlonega, GA affordable?

Dahlonega is above average in cost of living, with an index of 120 — about 20% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Dahlonega?

Dahlonega has average high temperatures of 70.7°F and average lows of 51.6°F. Annual precipitation is 52.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Dahlonega at a Glance

Population
7,194
Median Income
$74,500
Home Value
$409,100
Median Rent
$1,290/mo
Unemployment
3.9%
Avg High Temp
70.7°F
Sales Tax
7.3%
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