Cost of Living in Rome, GA

Population 37,754 · Georgia · Data vintage 2023

72
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Rome cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $215,000, rents near $976 a month. A poverty rate near 21% 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.

Rome is about 50 miles west of Sandy Springs, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 63% lower than Sandy Springs' $584,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 70
Rent 74

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

About the Cost of Living in Rome

The median home value in Rome is $214,700 — 30% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $976/month, 26% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,106/year is 31% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.5%, 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 73.5°F and lows of 50.1°F. Overall, Rome has a cost of living index of 72 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 28% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$214,700
30% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$227,082
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$976/mo
26% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,182/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.3x
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 48.1%
Renter-occupied 51.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$976
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,590/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
24.7 min
9% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.1%
Carpooled
14.3%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
4.1%
Bicycle
0.0%
Work from home
7.0%

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
$51,106
31% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,985
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
7% below avg
Poverty Rate
20.6%
Labor Force Participation
58.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.3%
Graduate degree 13.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.7
Male median age 36.1
Female median age 37.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
73.5°F
Avg Low
50.1°F
Annual Precip
50.7"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 535866748288919186756455
Low °F 323541485766696862503934
Precip" 4.994.814.994.463.783.803.743.773.423.754.175.00

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good
57.1%
Good air days/yr
110
Max AQI recorded
322
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

94.2%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
25
Public schools
15,991
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Rome, GA?

Rome has a cost index of 72 (100 = national average). It is 28% below the national average.

What is average rent in Rome, GA?

The median gross rent in Rome is $976 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Rome?

The median home value in Rome is $214,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Rome?

The median household income in Rome is $51,106 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Rome, GA?

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

Is Rome, GA affordable?

Yes, Rome is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 72 — about 28% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Rome?

Rome has average high temperatures of 73.5°F and average lows of 50.1°F. Annual precipitation is 50.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Rome at a Glance

Population
37,754
Median Income
$51,106
Home Value
$214,700
Median Rent
$976/mo
Unemployment
4.5%
Avg High Temp
73.5°F
Sales Tax
7.3%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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