Cost of Living in Kennesaw, GA

Population 33,627 · Georgia · Data vintage 2023

111
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Kennesaw lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $291,000 — 4% below the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in Georgia. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.1% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Kennesaw sits roughly 15 miles west of Sandy Springs — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 50% lower than Sandy Springs' $584,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 96
Rent 134

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

About the Cost of Living in Kennesaw

The median home value in Kennesaw is $291,300 — 4% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,763/month, 34% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $79,759/year is 7% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.1%, 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, Kennesaw has a cost of living index of 111 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 11% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$291,300
4% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$402,094
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,763/mo
34% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,819/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.8x
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 68.5%
Renter-occupied 31.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,763
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,377/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
30.4 min
13% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
19.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.3%
Carpooled
9.0%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
1.1%
Work from home
19.7%

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
$79,759
7% above avg
Per Capita Income
$40,906
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
27% above avg
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Labor Force Participation
69.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 32.2%
Graduate degree 15.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.4
Male median age 33.5
Female median age 38.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
66.6%
Good air days/yr
125
Max AQI recorded
140
PM2.5 days
183
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Kennesaw, GA?

Kennesaw has a cost index of 111 (100 = national average). It is 11% above the national average.

What is average rent in Kennesaw, GA?

The median gross rent in Kennesaw is $1,763 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Kennesaw?

The median home value in Kennesaw is $291,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Kennesaw?

The median household income in Kennesaw is $79,759 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Kennesaw, GA?

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

Is Kennesaw, GA affordable?

Kennesaw is above average in cost of living, with an index of 111 — about 11% higher than the national average.

Kennesaw at a Glance

Population
33,627
Median Income
$79,759
Home Value
$291,300
Median Rent
$1,763/mo
Unemployment
6.1%
Sales Tax
7.3%
View all cities in Georgia →
🗺️ County data for Georgia

Explore county-level cost of living data

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