How much does $300K, $400K or $500K buy you in Georgia? See states ranked by affordability
The current housing market may be in a very precarious position, but Georgia still offers homebuyers more bang for their buck compared to many other states.
Financial services website, GoBanking Rates, conducted research across the U.S. to find the median listing prices for homes in each state. As it happens, Georgia is one of the states in which your money will go the farthest.
Georgia’s housing cost-of-living index of 79.2 indicates that housing costs in the state are about 20.8% lower than the national average, ranking us a respectable 12th place.
Here are some numbers to know:
The number of homes for sale in Georgia increased by 7.2% in 2025
Homes are spending an average of 60 days on the market
121,545 homes were sold in Georgia in 2024
How much house can I get in Georgia?
The average price per square foot in Georgia is $177
$300,000 for 1,691 square feet
$400,000 for 2,225 square feet
$500,000 for 2,818 square feet
In Georgia $400,000 will buy you 2,255 square feet, and $500,000 will get you a generous 2,818 square feet. This is relatively affordable compared to the national numbers.
How does Georgia compare to the rest of the U.S.?
The median price per square foot in the U.S. can range from $100 to $200 per square foot.
The U.S. median is around $150 per square foot.
$300,000 for approximately 2,000 square feet
$400,000 for approximately 2,667 square feet
$500,000 for approximately 3,333 square feet
It is important to remember these numbers are not the rule but are approximations. Actual square footage can vary significantly depending on location, materials used and other factors.
Which state is the highest and which state is the lowest?
West Virginia is the most cost-efficient in the nation. It is the only state where $300,000 can purchase homes that are more than 2,000 square feet (2,185 square feet).
Hawaii has one of the highest cost of living rates in the U.S. and lands on the other end of the scale. The same amount ($300,000) can only buy 443 square feet, which is smaller than the average studio apartment.
The least expensive
West Virginia: $137 per square feet
Kansas: $158 per square feet
Alabama: $160 per square feet
Mississippi: $162 per square feet
Oklahoma: $167 per square feet
The most expensive
46. New Jersey: $310 per square feet
47. New York: $381 per square feet
48. California: $468 per square feet
49. Massachusetts: $506 per square feet
50. Hawaii: $678 per square feet
As in all things regarding the American economy, these numbers are always shifting. Forecasts suggest continued but modest growth in home prices for 2025, with predictions ranging from 1.3% to 3.6% increase by the end of the year.
Are you surprised by these numbers? How do they compare with your home-buying experience? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on Instagram.
