Cost of Living in Palmetto, GA

Population 4,681 · Georgia · Data vintage 2023

77
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Palmetto a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $204,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.9% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Palmetto sits roughly 9 miles southwest of South Fulton — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 25% lower than South Fulton's $271,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 67
Rent 93

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

About the Cost of Living in Palmetto

The median home value in Palmetto is $203,600 — 33% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,223/month, 7% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $54,745/year is 27% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.9%, 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%. Overall, Palmetto has a cost of living index of 77 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 23% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$203,600
33% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$226,565
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,223/mo
7% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,831/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.9x
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 48.4%
Renter-occupied 51.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,223
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,837/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
32.0 min
19% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.3%
Carpooled
9.2%
Public transit
0.8%
Work from home
15.6%

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
$54,745
27% below avg
Per Capita Income
$34,646
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
60% below avg
Poverty Rate
11.0%
Labor Force Participation
66.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 8.9%
Graduate degree 4.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.8
Male median age 37.9
Female median age 45.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 53 — Moderate
42.5%
Good air days/yr
172
Max AQI recorded
257
PM2.5 days
105
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Palmetto, GA?

Palmetto has a cost index of 77 (100 = national average). It is 23% below the national average.

What is average rent in Palmetto, GA?

The median gross rent in Palmetto is $1,223 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Palmetto?

The median home value in Palmetto is $203,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Palmetto?

The median household income in Palmetto is $54,745 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Palmetto, GA?

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

Is Palmetto, GA affordable?

Yes, Palmetto is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 77 — about 23% below the US national average of 100.

Palmetto at a Glance

Population
4,681
Median Income
$54,745
Home Value
$203,600
Median Rent
$1,223/mo
Unemployment
1.9%
Sales Tax
7.3%
View all cities in Georgia →
🗺️ County data for Georgia

Explore county-level cost of living data

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