Cost of Living in McDonough, GA

Population 30,056 · Georgia · Data vintage 2023

104
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

A 35-minute average commute puts McDonough squarely in exurban territory — the kind of place where many households optimize for housing cost over proximity to work. Home values of $286,000 reflect that spatial discount.

McDonough is about 25 miles southeast of Atlanta, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 32% lower than Atlanta's $421,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 94
Rent 120

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

About the Cost of Living in McDonough

The median home value in McDonough is $285,800 — 6% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,576/month, 20% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $77,734/year is 4% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.0%, 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, McDonough has a cost of living index of 104 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 4% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$285,800
6% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$333,806
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,576/mo
20% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,763/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.1x
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 49.9%
Renter-occupied 50.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,576
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,190/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
35.3 min
31% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.6%
Carpooled
6.9%
Public transit
0.4%
Walked
1.5%
Work from home
12.9%

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
$77,734
4% above avg
Per Capita Income
$32,532
Unemployment Rate
6.0%
24% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.2%
Labor Force Participation
69.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.9%
Graduate degree 8.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 31.2
Male median age 26.5
Female median age 35.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
62.6%
Good air days/yr
153
Max AQI recorded
254
PM2.5 days
107
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

89%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
50
Public schools
43,009
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in McDonough, GA?

McDonough has a cost index of 104 (100 = national average). It is 4% above the national average.

What is average rent in McDonough, GA?

The median gross rent in McDonough is $1,576 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in McDonough?

The median home value in McDonough is $285,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in McDonough?

The median household income in McDonough is $77,734 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in McDonough, GA?

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

Is McDonough, GA affordable?

McDonough is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 104 (100 = US average).

McDonough at a Glance

Population
30,056
Median Income
$77,734
Home Value
$285,800
Median Rent
$1,576/mo
Unemployment
6.0%
Sales Tax
7.3%
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🗺️ County data for Georgia

Explore county-level cost of living data

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