Georgia has housing deals if you know where to find them. Here’s a city-by-city breakdown of what renters can get for $1,500 a month.
If you’re new to Georgia or just making a change, you may be in the market for a rental unit or apartment. And you’re not alone.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2025 report, over 226,000 people moved to Georgia from other states. The draws? New residents cite affordability, Georgia’s natural wonders, and lifestyle opportunities as major factors in relocating to the Peach State.
So what’s it going to cost you to join the lucky southerners who call Georgia home? Zillow reports that the average rental price in the entire state of Georgia is just under $2,000, but Rent Café and Apartments.com argue that you can find affordable housing under $1,500—if you know where to find it.
So let’s take a look at what $1,500 in rent will get you in Georgia. These findings vary widely from one city to the next, and the more rural you’re willing and able to go, the farther your money will stretch.
Just be aware that most landlords follow the 3X Rent Rule, which requires you to prove you have a gross monthly income of at least three times the monthly rent. For example, to afford a $1,500-per-month apartment in Georgia, you’ll need about $4,500 to $5,000 in gross income, or a salary of about $54,000 to $60,000 a year.
What does $1,500 rent get you in Georgia cities?
Cities are expensive options when it comes to renting an apartment or rental unit, and the cities within Georgia are no exception. Access to the best restaurants, cultural entertainment, parks, and airports will cost you.
But if your job is in a Georgia city, you might not have much of a choice. Here’s what $1,500 rent will get you in Georgia cities.
Atlanta
The capital city of Georgia is also its most bustling. As many as 64,400 new residents moved to Atlanta between 2024 and 2025, according to the Atlanta Regional Commission, bringing the city’s total population to 5.3 million.
All of that movement creates competition, so it’s more expensive to rent in Atlanta than anywhere else in the state.
In fact, there are some areas of Atlanta where you will be hard pressed to rent for much less than $2,000 (I’m talking to you, Buckhead and Alpharetta), but the good news is that if you’re willing to settle for something small or explore some of the suburbs just outside of the city, your options open up.
Zillow and Rent.com both say that the most affordable Atlanta neighborhoods for a one-bedroom apartment are Mechanicsville, Bankhead, and Vine City, all sitting at around $1,000 and offering admittedly bare-bones accommodations. At $1,500, you’ll still live modestly, but in more desirable locations like Marietta and Roswell, where amenities abound. Expect about 800 square feet and no more than one bedroom for this price.
Savannah
This far-south city in Georgia is home to the highly respected Savannah College of Art and Design, a beautiful historic city where moss-draped live oaks and quaint shops draw movie-makers. The gateway to the Atlantic Ocean is also just 20 miles away.
The average rent in Savannah reflects those advantages, at $1,800 a month. So if you’re on a $1,500 budget, you’ll be looking at small units that sit outside of the popular tourist attractions in the Historic District.
If you’re closer to this area, you’re looking at getting 400 to 800 square feet of living space. But if you’re willing to live further out in Midtown or Southside, you can score closer to 1,000 square feet of living space in a one-to-two-bedroom apartment.
In outlying areas like Pooler or Georgetown, you can really expand your options with newer, more modern two to three-bedroom apartments or townhomes that might have their own garden or green space.
Macon
Macon, Georgia, home to Mercer University and four other colleges, is a popular place for Georgians looking for a smaller city that still offers a host of amenities.
Macon is highly affordable in comparison to other cities in this state, so $1,500 can easily get you a multi-bedroom apartment or even an entire house. The fact that all those bedrooms offer the chance to bring in roommates and share the cost of rent means you can live very large in this city.
Augusta
Augusta is known around the world for being the home of the Masters Tournament at the ultra-exclusive Augusta National Golf Club. You might think that its prestige translates to high rental costs, but you’ll be delighted to be proven wrong.
Zillow lists the median rental cost in Augusta at $1,250, so a budget of $1,500 elevates the options substantially. You’re looking at landing a three-to-four-bedroom home in an established neighborhood, or a modern, luxury apartment complete with a community pool and fitness center. Not bad, right?
Another selling point for Augusta is that you have many living options, from historic brick homes and cool lofts to townhomes in family-friendly neighborhoods to upscale apartment complexes.
Columbus
If you’re a member of the military stationed at Fort Moore (most people know it as the former Fort Benning), or you’re an exec working at Aflac or another Fortune 1000 company, you’ll find yourself hunting for a home in Columbus, Georgia.
While Zillow states that rent here can run as high as $3,700, it can also run as low as $515. And according to Rent Café, about 90 percent of rentals in Columbus fall between $700 and $1,500 a month.
Lucky for you, that $1,500 puts you in the sweet spot, with a strong budget that can get you into a spacious, new-construction rental with more than one bedroom and sweet amenities.
What will $1,500 rent get me outside of Georgia’s cities?
If you have a job that allows you to live anywhere or you happen to be employed in one of Georgia’s beautiful small towns, $1,500 will let you live like the king or queen you are.
As in every state, rural communities offer a quieter lifestyle that is also considerably more affordable. If you’re not someone who needs a variety of restaurants, a calendar filled with cultural activities or concerts, or access to a major airport, you may be perfectly content in one of Georgia’s small towns.
Your wallet will certainly thank you. Let’s take a look at the Georgia cities that give you the most bang for your buck when it comes to rental costs.
Albany
This town in southwest Georgia charges just a smidge more than a dollar per square foot, so you can get a 721 square foot apartment for just $782 a month.
Warner Robins
In the heart of the state, you’ll find the home of Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins. For $993 a month, you’re looking at 725 square feet of living space.
Valdosta
Just off Hwy 10 and a short drive to Georgia beaches, Valdosta offers great value, with a studio or one-bedroom apartment for about $1,000 a month.
Athens
Arguably one of the most famous college towns in the U.S., Athens is home to more than just the University of Georgia. If you’re lucky enough to settle in this fun town, you’ll get a one-bedroom for about $1,200.
Let’s wrap it up with even more good news. Rents in popular areas in Atlanta are trending lower this year, according to Realtor.com. Availability is now balanced with the influx of newcomers, meaning that if you can afford $1,500 rent, you have a better chance of landing the perfect apartment.
