Mortgage payment estimates, closing cost breakdowns, and homebuying data for Athens, Georgia.
Median Home Price
$285K
Population
127K
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,250
Property Tax Rate
0.92% *
* Property tax shown is the Georgia state average effective rate. Actual rates vary by county, city, and school district — check with your local assessor for exact rates in Athens.
Athens vs Georgia Median
The median home price in Athens is $285,000, which is 16% below the Georgia state median of $340,000.
Mortgage Calculator — Athens, GA
Pre-filled with Athens median home price and Georgia tax/insurance rates. Adjust for your property.
Three down payment scenarios for a $285K home using Georgia's 0.92% tax rate and $2,200/yr insurance.
5% Down
$2,271/mo
Down: $14,250
Loan: $271K
P&I: $1,711
Tax: $219
Insurance: $183
PMI: $158
10% Down
$2,173/mo
Down: $28,500
Loan: $257K
P&I: $1,621
Tax: $219
Insurance: $183
PMI: $150
20% Down (No PMI)
$1,843/mo
Down: $57,000
Loan: $228K
P&I: $1,441
Tax: $219
Insurance: $183
Income needed (28% rule): $79K/year with 20% down, $93K/year with 10% down.
Rent vs Buy in Athens
Rent
$1,250/mo
vs
Buy (10% down)
$2,173/mo
Price-to-rent ratio: 19.0 — A ratio between 15-20 means the rent vs buy decision in Athens depends heavily on your timeline. If you plan to stay 5+ years, buying likely wins. For shorter stays, renting preserves flexibility.
The median home price in Athens is $285,000, 16% below the Georgia state median of $340,000. With a population of 127,064, Athens is a mid-size city where home prices tend to be more accessible than in many parts of Georgia.
Property taxes in Georgia average 0.92% annually. This moderate property tax rate means a $285,000 home in Athens would carry roughly $219/month in property taxes. Homeowners insurance in Georgia runs approximately $2,200 per year. This is within the normal range nationally.
Average rent in Athens is $1,250/month. The price-to-rent ratio in Athens is moderate, meaning the buy-vs-rent decision depends heavily on how long you plan to stay.
Athens presents moderate affordability. The $285K median puts homeownership within reach for median-income households, though down payment savings and closing costs require planning.
Run a Rent vs Buy analysis
Compare total costs of renting vs buying in Athens.