Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Georgia
What Outdoor Enthusiasts Should Know About Georgia
Georgia ranks #39 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, which may surprise given its reputation. The outdoor access score of 8/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. 6.1% public land offers some options, though dedicated outdoor enthusiasts may find themselves driving to reach prime terrain.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. Georgia's environment score of 32/100 is a concern for outdoor athletes and those with respiratory sensitivity — air quality (AQI: 45) and environmental protections lag behind top-ranked states. Natural disaster risk is low, meaning fewer disruptions to outdoor plans.
The practical side: average living costs (index: 97) keep outdoor lifestyles manageable. Safety (58/100) is worth researching at the local level, and the overall health infrastructure (33/100) is adequate, though access to specialized sports medicine may be limited outside metros.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Outdoor Enthusiasts
| # | City | Grade | Outdoor Enthusiasts Score | Overall | Outdoor Access | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johns Creek | A+ | 48.4 | 65.4 | 8 | 32 | 100 | 81,119 |
| 2 | Roswell | A | 45.7 | 62.9 | 8 | 32 | 86 | 91,708 |
| 3 | Alpharetta | A+ | 45.3 | 64.4 | 8 | 32 | 79 | 67,054 |
| 4 | Sandy Springs | B+ | 45.3 | 59.4 | 8 | 32 | 85 | 105,803 |
| 5 | Brookhaven | A | 43.2 | 60.4 | 8 | 32 | 66 | 57,224 |
| 6 | Smyrna | B+ | 43.0 | 58.5 | 8 | 32 | 77 | 56,285 |
| 7 | Dunwoody | B+ | 42.5 | 58.0 | 8 | 32 | 67 | 51,563 |
| 8 | Marietta | C+ | 39.4 | 52.3 | 8 | 32 | 68 | 61,773 |
| 9 | Gainesville | C+ | 38.5 | 50.8 | 8 | 32 | 64 | 44,051 |
| 10 | Savannah | C | 37.2 | 48.9 | 8 | 32 | 58 | 147,751 |
| 11 | Atlanta | C+ | 36.4 | 51.7 | 8 | 32 | 34 | 510,826 |
| 12 | Athens-Clarke County unified government | D | 36.2 | 41.7 | 8 | 32 | 58 | 128,423 |
| 13 | Valdosta | D | 34.3 | 43.3 | 8 | 32 | 50 | 55,222 |
| 14 | Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government | D | 34.2 | 40.5 | 8 | 32 | 58 | 202,629 |
| 15 | South Fulton | C | 34.1 | 45.6 | 8 | 32 | 46 | 110,911 |
| 16 | Stonecrest | D | 34.1 | 42.7 | 8 | 32 | 58 | 59,917 |
| 17 | Macon-Bibb County | D | 34.1 | 41.1 | 8 | 32 | 58 | 156,512 |
| 18 | Warner Robins | C | 34.0 | 47.2 | 8 | 32 | 38 | 84,151 |
| 19 | Columbus | D | 32.5 | 42.6 | 8 | 32 | 41 | 201,877 |
| 20 | Albany | F | 28.4 | 36.3 | 8 | 32 | 27 | 67,373 |