The 5 Best Places to Live in Georgia for Young Adults

Thinking about moving to Georgia? Whether you’re graduating, looking for your next job opportunity, or just craving a fresh start, the Peach State is quickly becoming a go-to spot for young adults and millennials. Thanks to its thriving job market, affordable cost of living, and vibrant cultural scenes, Georgia offers a unique mix of opportunity and adventure.

But with so many cities to choose from, where should you go?

To answer that question, we’ve rounded up the five best cities in Georgia for young adults, complete with average rent, salary info, and things to do. Let’s dive in!

Overview: The 5 Best Places to Live In Georgia for Young Adults 

City	Median Age	Median Income	Average Rent	Median House Price	Average Commute Time
Columbus	34.6	$50,542	$1,143	$146,000	20 minutes
Sandy Springs	36.6	$86,548	$1,533	$490,200	26 minutes
Atlanta	33.4	$69,164	$1,813	$346,600	32 minutes
Savannah	33.5	$54,748	$1,649	$322,827	22 minutes
Athens	32.8	$52,958	$1,637	$211,500	23 minutes

What makes a city great for young adults? 

When deciding where to live in your 20s or 30s, you’re likely looking for more than just a nice view. The best cities for young adults balance affordability, job opportunities, things to do, and a social scene that matches your lifestyle. Whether you’re planning to rent for a few years or eventually buy a home, it’s important to consider more than just vibes—data matters, too.

That’s why in this guide, we’ve evaluated Georgia cities based on the key factors below: 

• Median Income: what you can expect to earn in each city. 
• Average Rent: what you’ll likely pay for rent in Georgia each month.
• Median Home Price: if buying a house in Georgia is on your radar.
• Population & Age: to gauge community size and social opportunities. 
• Commute Time: because traffic can majorly impact your quality of life.
• Top Industries: to help you understand the local job market.

Why use median and average numbers?

In our ranking methodology, we use median income and home prices because they reflect the midpoint of the market, helping to avoid distortion from ultra-high or ultra-low outliers. This gives a more accurate sense of what’s typical for most residents. 

For rent, however, average rent is often a more reliable metric because rental prices fluctuate frequently and vary by unit size, neighborhood, and availability. Average rent data also tends to be more current and widely available, giving you a realistic snapshot of what you might pay when apartment hunting in 2025.

The 5 Best Places to Live in Georgia for Young Adults in 2025

Now that we’ve covered what makes a city great for young adults (and how to interpret the data) let’s explore the best places to live in Georgia. These cities stand out for their unique blend of career opportunities, affordability, culture, and community.

Whether you’re looking for a lively college town, a major metro, or a scenic riverside city, one of these Georgia destinations could be your perfect fit.

#1: Columbus, Georgia

• Population: 204,366
• Median Age: 34.6
• Average Commute Time: 20.2 minutes
• Top Industries: Healthcare & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing

Columbus overlooks the beautiful Chattahoochee River along Georgia’s western border with Alabama. As Georgia’s second-biggest city, Columbus is known for its vibrant community, fun things to do, and diverse outdoor amenities, including hiking trails, cycling paths, and parks.

Outdoor lovers will enjoy tubing, kayaking, or rafting on the longest urban stretch of whitewater rapids in the world! On Saturday mornings, check out Market Days on Broadway for fresh produce, artisan foods, and handmade crafts. 

Shopping is abundant, and on Friday nights, Uptown Columbus roars alive with free live concerts. The RiverCenter for the Performing Arts is home to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Columbus Ballet and has a packed entertainment schedule, including traveling Broadway performances, show tapings, and more.  

There are also plenty of career opportunities for young adults and millennials in Columbus. Top employers like Aflac, Synovus, and Fort Benning are always looking for new talent to join their ranks. Common occupations include management, office and administrative support, and sales jobs. Overall, Columbus is a great place for young adults to make their home.

#2: Sandy Springs, Georgia

• Population: 106,605
• Median Age: 36.6
• Average Commute Time: 25.7 minutes
• Top Industries: Professional, scientific, & technical services; healthcare & social assistance, and retail trade

Located in northern Fulton County in the middle of Georgia’s Piedmont Region, Sandy Springs is best known for the freshwater springs that give the city its name. Sandy Springs is also very convenient for young adults, given its proximity to both downtown Atlanta and popular suburbs like Roswell and Alpharetta. 

The King and Queen buildings (otherwise known as the Concourse Corporate Centers) mark the Sandy Springs skyline with their bright lights. Dine at delicious restaurants and enjoy film and art festivals, hiking or tubing on the Chattahoochee River, or exploring nearby Atlanta.

Sandy Springs is an ideal place to live for those just starting their careers. Many well-known companies are headquartered in Sandy Springs, including UPS, Cox Enterprises, and Mercedes-Benz’s U.S. corporate office. Top occupations in Sandy Springs include management, business and financial operations, and sales. 

#3: Atlanta, Georgia

• Population: 492,204
• Median Age: 33.4
• Average Commute Time: 32 minutes
• Top Industries: Professional, scientific, & technical services; education, healthcare & social assistance

Atlanta, known for its southern hospitality, cultural diversity, and the busiest airport in the world, is an excellent place for young adults to make their home. You’ll find plenty of neighborhoods with lots of character and culture, from Midtown to Kirkwood to Grant Park.

Atlanta has some of the best food in the South and popular tourist attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, the Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Beltline, the historic Fox Theater, and the Atlanta Zoo. Due to various tax incentives for filming and cheaper production costs, Atlanta has also recently transformed into the “Hollywood of the South”—so you may even run into one of your favorite TV or movie stars when you visit!

Atlanta is another great place for young adults early in their careers. Large companies like Coca-Cola, The Home Depot, Chick-fil-A, and Delta Air Lines are headquartered in the city. The top occupations in Atlanta include management, sales, and business and financial operations. 

#4: Savannah, Georgia

• Population: 148,004
• Median Age: 33.5
• Average Commute Time: 21.6 minutes
• Top Industries: Manufacturing, logistics, and entertainment

Savannah, Georgia is known for its historic architecture and vibrant culture. Founded in 1733, it is the oldest city in Georgia and boasts beautiful parks, cobblestone streets, and a rich history.

In addition to Savannah’s many parks and historic sites, young adults will enjoy the city’s lively arts scene, food festivals, breweries, and museums.

Notably, Savannah is home to one of the best art schools in the country, the Savannah College of Art and Design. Top employers in the city include Memorial Health University Medical Center, Gulfstream Aerospace, and the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System. 

#5: Athens, Georgia

• Population: 213,886
• Median Age: 32.8
• Average Commute Time: 23.2 minutes
• Top Industries: Education, healthcare & social assistance, and retail trade

Athens is located just 60 miles northeast of Atlanta and is a lively college town with a great arts and music scene. Whether you’re tailgating a Georgia Bulldogs game or exploring the many galleries, shops, or restaurants in Downtown Athens, there are plenty of fun activities available. If you visit for a weekend, we recommend exploring the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, walking UGA’s campus, and doing a rooftop bar-hopping tour.

Several companies, including Zaxby’s, Creature Comforts Brewing Co., and Terrapin Beer Company have homes in Athens. The most popular occupations are education, instruction, & library, office & administrative support, and management.

Our number one pick? Columbus, GA!

Columbus is an up-and-coming city that is quickly becoming one of the top living destinations for young adults in Georgia. Columbus is an extremely welcoming town and even has a local ambassador program to help connect new residents to opportunities and activities in the city. Columbus also has exciting professional opportunities, and if you’re considering starting or growing your family, top-rated K-12 schools. 

With the gorgeous Chattahoochee River, wonderful parks and trails, delicious restaurants, and a rapidly diversifying population, Columbus is waiting for you to make it your new home.

If you’re ready to learn more about living in Columbus, contact us today. Our team is here to help!

FAQs About Cities in Georgia for Young Adults 

What’s the most affordable city for young adults in Georgia? 

If cost of living is your top concern, Columbus is hard to beat. With lower average rent and some of the most affordable home prices in the state, it’s one of the cheapest cities for young adults looking to stretch their paycheck without sacrificing quality of life. You can explore a full list of the cheapest places to live in Georgia here. 

Which top cities in Georgia are good for families, too? 

Some cities on this list, like Sandy Springs or Columbus, also rank among the best places for families to live in Georgia. These cities offer a great blend of young adult energy and family-friendly perks, from parks and trails to strong school districts. If you’re already planning for kids or evaluating schools, Sandy Springs and Columbus are two top southern cities worth a closer look. 

How does Georgia compare to other states for young adults?

Georgia consistently ranks high for job growth, affordability, and overall quality of life. If you’re deciding between multiple locations, you might want to explore how Georgia stacks up against other top states for young adults, especially when it comes to cost of living, culture, and career opportunities.