Georgia
Georgia ranks #30 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 52.2/100 and a C+ grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (74/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (8/100).
How Does Georgia Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Georgia
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | Johns Creek | A+ | 65.4 | 81,119 | $151,344 | 49.6 | 100.9 |
| 79 | Alpharetta | A+ | 64.4 | 67,054 | $140,188 | 289.1 | 100.9 |
| 118 | Roswell | A | 62.9 | 91,708 | $119,657 | 187.7 | 100.9 |
| 192 | Brookhaven | A | 60.4 | 57,224 | $117,448 | 358.9 | — |
| 226 | Sandy Springs | B+ | 59.4 | 105,803 | $110,401 | 148.3 | 100.9 |
| 263 | Smyrna | B+ | 58.5 | 56,285 | $96,780 | 291.3 | 100.9 |
| 277 | Dunwoody | B+ | 58.0 | 51,563 | $109,116 | 219 | — |
| 532 | Marietta | C+ | 52.3 | 61,773 | $70,086 | 359.6 | 100.9 |
| 569 | Atlanta | C+ | 51.7 | 510,826 | $85,880 | 709.3 | 100.9 |
| 601 | Gainesville | C+ | 50.8 | 44,051 | $64,636 | 376.8 | 96.1 |
| 671 | Savannah | C | 48.9 | 147,751 | $56,823 | — | 95.6 |
| 734 | Warner Robins | C | 47.2 | 84,151 | $59,646 | 673.6 | 91.6 |
| 787 | South Fulton | C | 45.6 | 110,911 | $79,871 | 631 | — |
| 853 | Valdosta | D | 43.3 | 55,222 | $45,849 | 459 | 86.7 |
| 869 | Stonecrest | D | 42.7 | 59,917 | $62,939 | — | — |
| 876 | Columbus | D | 42.6 | 201,877 | $51,835 | 721.5 | 88.8 |
| 896 | Athens-Clarke County unified government | D | 41.7 | 128,423 | $53,775 | — | — |
| 910 | Macon-Bibb County | D | 41.1 | 156,512 | $51,254 | — | 90 |
| 926 | Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government | D | 40.5 | 202,629 | $51,943 | — | — |
| 976 | Albany | F | 36.3 | 67,373 | $45,624 | 1000.3 | 86.4 |
Best Cities in Georgia for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roswell | 64.0 | 60.6 | 85.9 | 64.6 |
| 2 | Johns Creek | 63.6 | 42.9 | 99.7 | 58.9 |
| 3 | Alpharetta | 63.0 | 60.0 | 78.8 | 60.6 |
| 4 | Smyrna | 61.4 | 64.1 | 76.6 | 68.2 |
| 5 | Sandy Springs | 59.6 | 42.9 | 84.9 | 62.0 |
More South States
Georgia Rankings Overview
Georgia earns an overall grade of C+ with a composite score of 52.2 out of 100, ranking #30 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (74/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (8/100).
Economy & Employment in Georgia
With an unemployment rate of 3.5% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Georgia performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $71,355, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Georgia
Georgia's violent crime rate of 368 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Georgia
Georgia ranks #34 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #29 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Georgia is 76.1 years, and the high school graduation rate is 84%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Georgia
Georgia's total tax burden is 8.47% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 5.39%. The effective property tax rate is 0.83% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 7.49%.
Housing & Affordability in Georgia
The median home price in Georgia is $366,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 97 (where 100 equals the national average), roughly in line with national costs. The price-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
Environment in Georgia
Georgia has a median air quality index of 45 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 12% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 13.4 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Georgia
Georgia's population growth rate is +1.3% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +2.3 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 92.7% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Georgia
The top-ranked cities in Georgia based on our composite scoring are Johns Creek, Alpharetta, and Roswell. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Georgia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Georgia's overall ranking?
Georgia ranks #30 out of 50 states with a composite score of 52.2/100 and a grade of C+.
Is Georgia a good place to live?
Georgia scores 52.2/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in Georgia?
The violent crime rate in Georgia is 368 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Georgia's economy compare?
Georgia's median household income is $71,355 with an unemployment rate of 3.5%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Georgia?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Georgia are Johns Creek, Alpharetta, and Roswell.
How does Georgia rank for families?
Georgia ranks #34 of 50 states for families with a score of 53.1/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Georgia rank for retirees?
Georgia ranks #28 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 57.4/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Georgia rank for remote workers?
Georgia ranks #25 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 55.6/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.