Cost of Living in Social Circle, GA

Population 5,113 · Georgia · Data vintage 2023

82
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Social Circle is a smaller Georgia community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $82,188 and housing costs ($244,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 9.5% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Social Circle is about 30 miles southwest of Athens-Clarke County, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 10% lower than Athens-Clarke County's $272,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 80
Rent 86

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

About the Cost of Living in Social Circle

The median home value in Social Circle is $244,400 — 20% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,130/month, 14% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $82,188/year is 10% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.5%, 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, Social Circle has a cost of living index of 82 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 18% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$244,400
20% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$358,105
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,130/mo
14% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,720/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.0x
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 78.4%
Renter-occupied 21.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,130
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,744/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
38.5 min
43% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
19.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
61.3%
Carpooled
7.7%
Public transit
1.1%
Work from home
19.6%

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
$82,188
10% above avg
Per Capita Income
$30,763
Unemployment Rate
9.5%
97% above avg
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Labor Force Participation
67.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.4%
Graduate degree 13.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.7
Male median age 34.2
Female median age 39.1

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,798
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Social Circle, GA?

Social Circle has a cost index of 82 (100 = national average). It is 18% below the national average.

What is average rent in Social Circle, GA?

The median gross rent in Social Circle is $1,130 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Social Circle?

The median home value in Social Circle is $244,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Social Circle?

The median household income in Social Circle is $82,188 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Social Circle, GA?

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

Is Social Circle, GA affordable?

Yes, Social Circle is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 82 — about 18% below the US national average of 100.

Social Circle at a Glance

Population
5,113
Median Income
$82,188
Home Value
$244,400
Median Rent
$1,130/mo
Unemployment
9.5%
Sales Tax
7.3%
View all cities in Georgia →
🗺️ County data for Georgia

Explore county-level cost of living data

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