Cost of Living in Barrow County, Georgia
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Barrow County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Barrow County ranks #2,741 of 3,144 counties for affordability (bottom 13%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Barrow County, Georgia
Barrow maintains middle-class balance
Barrow County's 18.5% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably near the national average, underpinned by a median household income of $77,477 that exceeds the national median. At $1,197 in median rent, Barrow represents higher-cost Georgia housing supported by meaningfully higher wages.
Near-perfect Georgia average alignment
Barrow County's 18.5% rent-to-income ratio sits just below Georgia's state average of 18.6%, positioning it as a textbook Georgia market. The county's $77,477 median income is the second-highest in this dataset, nearly matching the national median income of $74,755.
Atlanta-area pricing and wages
Barrow County's $1,197 median rent and $255,200 median home value sit alongside Bartow County's comparable pricing, marking a clear divide from rural Southeast Georgia. With $77,477 median income, Barrow residents earn substantially more than rural counties, justifying higher housing costs.
Prosperity supports higher housing costs
Barrow County residents earning $77,477 median income allocate $1,197 monthly to rent—18.5% of gross household earnings, a sustainable proportion. Homeowners with $1,260 monthly mortgage costs on $255,200 median homes reflect a higher-income market comfortable with premium pricing.
Barrow is Atlanta's affordable suburb
If you're seeking North Georgia living without Atlanta's premium prices, Barrow County offers near-national-average affordability ratios with meaningfully higher incomes and home values. Compare Barrow's $255,200 homes to neighboring Bartow—both offer Atlanta-area access with balanced housing economics.
Cost of Living Advisory: Barrow County
Affordability Verdict
Housing in Barrow County is affordable. The median rent is $1,197/month against a median household income of $77,477, putting rent at 18.5% of income.
Rent vs. Own
The median rent in Barrow County is $1,197/month, while owner costs run $1,260/month. Renting saves approximately $63/month.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $47,880/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $54,000/year. With a median household income of $77,477, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 29.0% of renter households in Barrow County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Barrow County sits 5% more expensive than Houston County ($1,143/month) in terms of median gross rent.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Barrow County
Rent Burden
18.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,808
per month
Owner Cost Burden
19.5%
of gross income
The median home in Barrow County may be a stretch
Median home value is $255,200. Estimated monthly cost: $2,037 vs. your max of $1,808.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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