Two metro Atlanta towns, one in Cobb County and the other in Gwinnett, have earned bragging rights for home-buyers getting the biggest bang for their buck.

Money magazine ranks Powder Springs in Cobb and Lilburn in Gwinnett as No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, among the nation’s top 25 towns and cities for home affordability.

After years of tanking, home prices in metro Atlanta and Georgia continue to rise, partly because of the tight supply of homes for sale and because foreclosures are also declining, putting additional pressure on available supply. Bargains, however, can be found in at least two metro areas, according to Money.

The home affordability list is part of Money’s annual Best Places to Live report, which also considers top-earning towns, best big city neighborhoods and best places for the rich and single. Three Georgia towns appear among the 50 Best Cities: Suwanee (No. 33) in Gwinnett, Evans (43) in Columbia County and Peachtree City (48) in Fayette County.

Money said Powder Springs in west Cobb has “a charming downtown” and pleasant quality of life. The median price of a home in Powder Springs is $85,000 while the median income is $68,168.

The median price of a Lilburn home $84,478 and the median family income is $64,762. Money cites Lilburn’s growing south Asian community as an example of its growth. Lilburn also has “a fine school system, safe streets and proximity to Atlanta.”

Money focused on areas that had more than 100 home sales in 2012 and that also experienced job and population growth. The sales data came from county assessors’ offices, the magazine said.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Hire Heroes USA gives free one-on-one career coaching to veterans and service members leaving the military. (Courtesy of Hire Heroes USA)

Credit: spec

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com