Georgia
Georgia was initially the last of the 13 original colonies of the United States and is known endearingly as ‘the Peach State.’ It is located in the southeastern United States, situated above Florida, and east of Alabama. Georgia has places perfect for both urbanite and suburbanite populations to call home.
An aspect of the south is its diverse nature and wildlife, and Georgia is no exception. For climbers and hikers, you have the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Appalachians, and the highest point, Brasstown Bald. Beachgoers should warm up to Georgia quickly as well, with a handful of great sunning spots along the eastern coast. Some of the best beaches are Sapelo Island, Cumberland Island, Tybee Island, Jekyll Island, St. Simons, and St. Marys.
Professionals young and old will undoubtedly find something in the beautiful and noteworthy cities of Atlanta, Savannah, Alpharetta, Augusta, and Roswell.
The top 10 employers in the state are Google, Emory University, Shaw Industries, QuikTrip, Home Depot, Piedmont Healthcare, Publix Super Markets, and Gulfstream Aerospace.
Housing in Georgia
The median price for a home in Georgia is ~$205,000. This is up 5.5.% from last year, and in the next 12 months, the valuation will most likely rise another 4.4%, showing a steady, reliable climb in home values. The average rent in Georgia is ~$1,400.
For those of you looking for a bargain, some of the least expensive places you could live are small towns like Eatonton, Morrow, and Commerce. Perhaps expectantly, the more expensive places to live are areas like the Atlanta metro area.
Taxes in Georgia
Property taxes in Georgia are based on 0.914% of the assessed home value. The state average is moderately lower than the national rate of 1.080% of assessed home value, and the rest of the percentages are unique to each county. If you were to take a $205,000 property, apply the Fulton COunty tax rate of 1.027%, you would be paying $2,105 annually. This percentage is from the heart of Atlanta, so the price is markedly higher than that of a place like Eatonton, which is 0.697% of a home’s assessed value.
The state’s sales tax is 4%. This could range anywhere between 4-9% depending on what city or municipality you find yourself in. Places like Deenwood, Manor, and Ware County have the highest sales tax at 9%, while the lowest can be found in North Metro.
