Cost of Living in Sylvester, GA

Population 5,557 · Georgia · Data vintage 2023

52
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 Sylvester a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $125,000. Around 25% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Located 80 miles north of Tallahassee, Sylvester is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 55% lower than Tallahassee's $276,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 41
Rent 69

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

About the Cost of Living in Sylvester

The median home value in Sylvester is $125,000 — 59% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $901/month, 31% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $59,808/year is 20% lower 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, Sylvester has a cost of living index of 52 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 48% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$125,000
59% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$166,333
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$901/mo
31% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6x
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 58.6%
Renter-occupied 41.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$901
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,515/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
22.6 min
16% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.1%
Carpooled
7.7%
Public transit
2.1%
Walked
4.1%
Work from home
8.0%

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
$59,808
20% below avg
Per Capita Income
$28,911
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
27% above avg
Poverty Rate
24.9%
Labor Force Participation
57.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.8%
Graduate degree 4.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.2
Male median age 41.4
Female median age 42.9

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

75%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
3,181
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sylvester, GA?

Sylvester has a cost index of 52 (100 = national average). It is 48% below the national average.

What is average rent in Sylvester, GA?

The median gross rent in Sylvester is $901 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sylvester?

The median home value in Sylvester is $125,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sylvester?

The median household income in Sylvester is $59,808 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sylvester, GA?

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

Is Sylvester, GA affordable?

Yes, Sylvester is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 52 — about 48% below the US national average of 100.

Sylvester at a Glance

Population
5,557
Median Income
$59,808
Home Value
$125,000
Median Rent
$901/mo
Unemployment
6.1%
Sales Tax
7.3%
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