Best Cities for Families in Georgia
Georgia ranks #33 of 50 for families, with a families score of 60.1. Johns Creek is its best city for families at 74.4.
- Georgia, all states
- #33 of 50
- Population
- 81,988
Georgia for Families: The Full Picture
Georgia ranks #33 out of 50 for families, placing it in the lower third of states. That doesn't mean families can't thrive here — the state scores well in affordability (73/100) — but Georgia's overall profile suggests families should weigh the tradeoffs carefully, particularly around outdoor access and livability.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Georgia shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 84.1%, trailing the national average. Families relocating here should research individual school districts carefully, as statewide metrics (education score: 53/100) mask significant local variation. Center-based infant care costs $11,066 a year, below the 50-state average, easing the financial burden on young families.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Georgia performs reasonably well, with a violent crime rate below the 50-state average at 296.9 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). With a cost-of-living index of 96.3, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Johns Creek | A+ | 74.4 | 73.4 | — | 100 | 44 | 81,988 |
| 2Roswell | A+ | 69.5 | 69.2 | 61 | 94 | 52 | 92,621 |
| 3Alpharetta | A+ | 68.9 | 70.6 | 59 | 85 | 47 | 66,855 |
| 4Sandy Springs | A+ | 68.3 | 68.0 | — | 90 | 49 | 107,087 |
| 5Smyrna | A | 65.9 | 64.8 | 64 | 84 | 58 | 56,633 |
| 6Dunwoody | A | 65.2 | 67.1 | 49 | 76 | 50 | 51,758 |
| 7Marietta | B+ | 64.1 | 60.9 | 72 | 77 | 60 | 62,263 |
| 8Brookhaven | A | 62.5 | 65.4 | 49 | 76 | 46 | 57,855 |
| 9Athens-Clarke County unified government | C+ | 61.1 | 54.2 | 72 | 70 | 74 | 127,345 |
| 10Columbus | C | 59.2 | 51.4 | 60 | 70 | 82 | 203,711 |
| 11South Fulton | C+ | 59.1 | 53.9 | — | 65 | 64 | 110,471 |
| 12Warner Robins | C+ | 58.9 | 53.9 | 59 | 57 | 79 | 82,990 |
| 13Atlanta | B | 57.7 | 58.3 | 69 | 38 | 58 | 505,268 |
| 14Gainesville | C+ | 56.7 | 55.2 | 61 | 69 | 68 | 45,032 |
| 15Stonecrest | D | 55.1 | 46.5 | — | — | 68 | 60,501 |
| 16Valdosta | D | 54.3 | 46.6 | 62 | 49 | 84 | 55,252 |
| 17Savannah | C | 54.1 | 51.9 | 67 | — | 73 | 147,898 |
| 18Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government | D | 52.5 | 45.9 | 53 | 46 | 81 | 201,528 |
| 19Macon-Bibb County | F | 47.0 | 40.3 | 49 | 19 | 84 | 156,578 |
| 20Albany | F | 45.9 | 39.5 | 61 | 16 | 88 | 67,224 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Georgia for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Georgia a good state for families?
Georgia ranks #33 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 60.1/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (73/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (8/100).
What is the best city for families in Georgia?
Johns Creek ranks #1 in Georgia for families with a score of 74.4/100, followed by Roswell and Alpharetta.
What factors are most important for families in Georgia?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.