Athens, GA, a Southern haven, has risen in popularity for those looking to live in the state. From famous foods to the fabulous nightlife, it’s not a surprise that close to 127,400 people live in Athens.
As you begin your homebuying journey, there’s three things you should know – the housing market is somewhat competitive, the median home sale price is $310,000, and the average sale price per square foot is $165. Or if you’re beginning your renting journey, the average rent price for a two-bedroom apartment in Athens is $1,412.
But maybe the Athens area isn’t the right place for you. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. To help you find the right place to live, we’ve collected a list of the 3 best affordable Athens suburbs to check out. And they’re all less than 35 minutes away from the city. Let’s check them out.
#1: Commerce
Median home price: $242,500
Average sale price per square foot: $154
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,300
Driving distance from Athens: 30 minutes
Commerce, GA homes for sale
Commerce, GA apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $242,500, Commerce is first on our list of Athens suburbs. Just about a 30-minute drive away from Athens, you won’t miss out on what the city has to offer. Living in Commerce, you can spend the day at Funopolis Family Fun Center or explore the nearby Hurricane Shoals Park.
#2: Winder
Median home price: $315,000
Average sale price per square foot: $186
Driving distance from Athens: 30 minutes
Winder, GA homes for sale
Winder, GA apartments for rent
Next up is Winder, the second Athens suburb you should check out. Just about 30 minutes from Athens, you can visit the University of Georgia campus or attend the Saturday Athens Farmers Market in no time. Some popular things to do in Winder include exploring the 260-acre Fort Yargo State Park where you’ll find Fort Yargo Lake, camping areas, and Old Fort Yargo. When living in this suburb of 18,300 people, you can also spend the day checking out the charming downtown.
#3: Jefferson
Median home price: $442,500
Average sale price per square foot: $173
Driving distance from Athens: 30 minutes
Jefferson, GA homes for sale
Jefferson, GA apartments for rent
30 minutes away from downtown, you’ll find yourself in the suburb of Jefferson. Even with a population of about 13,200, there are plenty of cool things to check out in Jefferson. If you find yourself moving to this Athens suburb, make sure to fish at Jefferson City Lake or have a picnic at Jefferson City Park.
Methodology: Whether a suburb was under a 35-minute drive from downtown Athens. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during March 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com March 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.