Best Cities for Young Professionals in Georgia
Georgia ranks #17 of 50 for young professionals, with a young professionals score of 58.9. Alpharetta is its best city for young professionals at 65.8.
- Georgia, all states
- #17 of 50
- Population
- 66,855
Georgia for Young Professionals: The Full Picture
Georgia ranks #17 out of 50 for young professionals, placing it in the upper tier for career-oriented relocators. The state's economy scores 54/100, with 3.4% unemployment and a median household income of $79,991. Modest population growth of 0.88% suggests a stable but not booming market.
For young professionals, the equation comes down to earning potential versus cost of living. With a cost-of-living index of 96.3, expenses are near the national norm — what you earn is roughly what you keep. Growth metrics are moderate, so career advancement may depend more on specific industries than broad market expansion.
Beyond the paycheck, livability matters. Georgia's livability score of 28/100 is modest, which may matter to young professionals who value nightlife, dining, and cultural events. Transportation is car-dependent in most areas (score: 39/100), which is worth factoring into housing location decisions.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # City | Grade | Young Professionals score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Walkability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Alpharetta | A+ | 65.8 | 70.6 | 91 | 42 | 47 | 66,855 |
| 2Dunwoody | A | 64.8 | 67.1 | 80 | 43 | 61 | 51,758 |
| 3Johns Creek | A+ | 64.5 | 73.4 | 91 | 38 | 37 | 81,988 |
| 4Brookhaven | A | 64.0 | 65.4 | 80 | 48 | 60 | 57,855 |
| 5Roswell | A+ | 63.7 | 69.2 | 83 | 38 | 45 | 92,621 |
| 6Sandy Springs | A+ | 62.0 | 68.0 | 74 | 42 | 50 | 107,087 |
| 7Smyrna | A | 60.4 | 64.8 | 68 | 48 | 49 | 56,633 |
| 8Atlanta | B | 58.6 | 58.3 | 59 | 58 | 65 | 505,268 |
| 9Marietta | B+ | 56.2 | 60.9 | 56 | 47 | 57 | 62,263 |
| 10Gainesville | C+ | 55.2 | 55.2 | 55 | 68 | 34 | 45,032 |
| 11Warner Robins | C+ | 54.3 | 53.9 | 55 | 63 | 34 | 82,990 |
| 12Savannah | C | 52.3 | 51.9 | 50 | 40 | 60 | 147,898 |
| 13South Fulton | C+ | 51.3 | 53.9 | 54 | 46 | 35 | 110,471 |
| 14Athens-Clarke County unified government | C+ | 49.9 | 54.2 | 47 | 38 | 34 | 127,345 |
| 15Columbus | C | 49.3 | 51.4 | 45 | 41 | 33 | 203,711 |
| 16Valdosta | D | 46.6 | 46.6 | 38 | 46 | 38 | 55,252 |
| 17Stonecrest | D | 46.1 | 46.5 | 46 | 40 | 40 | 60,501 |
| 18Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government | D | 45.3 | 45.9 | 40 | 39 | 31 | 201,528 |
| 19Macon-Bibb County | F | 42.6 | 40.3 | 41 | 41 | 32 | 156,578 |
| 20Albany | F | 41.3 | 39.5 | 34 | 36 | 41 | 67,224 |
City young professionals 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.
Compare: States with Similar Young Professionals Rankings
Also See: Georgia for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Georgia a good state for young professionals?
Georgia ranks #17 out of 50 for young professionals with a persona-weighted score of 58.9/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (73/100) and its weakest is Livability (28/100).
What is the best city for young professionals in Georgia?
Alpharetta ranks #1 in Georgia for young professionals with a score of 65.8/100, followed by Dunwoody and Johns Creek.
What factors are most important for young professionals in Georgia?
Rankings weighted toward job market strength, economic growth, affordable living, transportation, and vibrant community life — the factors that attract ambitious young professionals.