Renters who want to be near the hustle and bustle of Atlanta without living in the beating heart of the city should consider nearby towns, such as Sandy Springs ($1,702), Smyrna ($1,950), and Doraville ($1,850). As Atlanta’s median rent approaches $1,915 and the rental market evolves, these surrounding cities offer renters walkable downtown districts, family-friendly communities, and manageable commutes to Atlanta’s major employment centers, often at a lower price point.
Whether you’re seeking lower rent, more space, a different pace of life, or specific community amenities, the cities surrounding Atlanta deliver viable alternatives without sacrificing access to the metro’s career opportunities.
Cities Near Atlanta: Quick Comparison
These eight cities near Atlanta offer diverse options for renters at different price points and lifestyle priorities. All median rents reflect recent data from Zumper’s internal analysis across all bedroom counts and rental unit types (studios, 1-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms, houses, condos, apartments) over a 30-day period to provide the most accurate neighborhood-level pricing.
| City | Median Rent | Distance | Commute Options | Best For |
| Sandy Springs | $1,702 | 11 mi N | MARTA Red Line, GA-400 | Young professionals, walkable urbanism |
| Smyrna | $1,950 | 7 mi NW | I-285, Cobb Linc | Families, downtown charm |
| Hapeville | $1,800 | 9 mi S | MARTA nearby, I-85 | Airport workers, urban-suburban |
| Forest Park | $1,200 | 12 mi S | I-75, MARTA bus | Maximum affordability |
| Doraville | $1,850 | 12 mi NE | MARTA Gold Line | International dining, transit |
| Chamblee | $2,130 | 11 mi NE | MARTA Gold Line | Walkable downtown, foodies |
| Clarkston | $1,175 | 11 mi E | I-285 | Diversity, affordability |
| Scottdale | $1,532 | 10 mi E | I-285 | Quiet residential, Decatur access |
Why Consider Living Near Atlanta?
The Atlanta metro area’s 6+ million residents create a diverse rental market, with nearby cities offering compelling alternatives. Atlanta’s median household income for renters is approximately $52,000- $58,000, making affordability a significant consideration. While specific Atlanta neighborhood rents vary widely, the overall market trends higher than the national median of approximately $1,400-1,500 reported in the Joint Center for Housing Studies’ The State of the Nation’s Housing 2024 report, making nearby cities an attractive option for budget-conscious renters.
Main Reasons Renters Look Beyond Atlanta:
- Affordability: Forest Park ($1,200) and Clarkston ($1,175) offer substantial savings
- More space: Larger floor plans, parking, and outdoor access
- Different pace: Quieter residential environments
- Family amenities: Parks, schools, and community events
- Parking included: Most rentals include parking versus Atlanta’s $100-200+ monthly fees
Trade-offs: Longer commutes (30-45 minutes with MARTA in Sandy Springs, Doraville, Chamblee) and fewer immediate walkable nightlife options, though Atlanta’s attractions remain accessible.
Cities Near Atlanta for Renters
1. Sandy Springs — $1,702/month
Eleven miles north of Atlanta, Sandy Springs offers sophisticated urban living with a genuine downtown around the MARTA Red Line station featuring restaurants, shops, and high-rises. This city of 107,000 attracts young professionals (median income: $101,593) seeking walkable urbanism with 30-minute commutes to Midtown. Morgan Falls Overlook Park, along the Chattahoochee River, provides outdoor recreation.
Best for: Young professionals wanting walkable urban amenities with MARTA access.
2. Smyrna — $1,950/month
Smyrna delivers small-town charm 7 miles northwest. This city of 56,000 has maintained its historic downtown along Atlanta Street with local restaurants, Smyrna Market Village, and community events. Easy I-285/I-75 access provides 25-35 minute commutes. The Silver Comet Trail offers biking and walking.
Best for: Families seeking authentic downtown character and a walkable community.
3. Hapeville — $1,800/month
Hapeville‘s atmosphere is a balance between urban and suburban lifestyles, just 9 miles south of Atlanta and adjacent to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. This compact city of 6,600 has preserved its historic downtown while attracting new development. MARTA access via nearby stations, plus I-85 connectivity, make it ideal for airport employees seeking minimal commute time.
Best for: Airport workers and renters seeking urban convenience with suburban space.
4. Forest Park — $1,200/month
Twelve miles south of Atlanta, renters will find Forest Park, which may be one of the best areas for affordability. This diverse city of 19,600 offers practical living with access to I-75. The 30-40 minute commute via MARTA bus or car is a reasonable trade-off for significant savings for roughly half the rental costs of many Atlanta neighborhoods.
Best for: Budget-focused renters building savings.
5. Doraville — $1,850/month
Doraville, full of international flair, is just 12 miles northeast of Atlanta and home to the at the MARTA Gold Line terminus, so those looking to commute to Atlanta without a car might like this particular town. This city of 10,700 is known for its Asian community and exceptional international dining along Buford Highway. The recent Assembly Doraville development added modern apartments and public spaces around the station.
Best for: MARTA-dependent commuters; international food enthusiasts.
6. Chamblee — $2,130/month
Chamblee combines a walkable downtown with a diverse community. This city of 30,000 residents, located 11 miles northeast of Atlanta, has developed a genuine downtown around the MARTA Gold Line station featuring the Rail Trail, breweries, and diverse restaurants. Buford Highway provides the metro’s most diverse international dining with 35-40 minute MARTA commutes.
Best for: Foodies; young professionals wanting walkable character with MARTA access.
7. Clarkston — $1,175/month
Eleven miles east, Clarkston delivers exceptional affordability and diversity. Known as “the most diverse square mile in America,” this city of 14,500 hosts residents from 40+ countries. The diversity manifests in international groceries and restaurants. I-285 and DeKalb transit provide 35-45 minute commutes into Atlanta.
Best for: Budget-conscious renters valuing cultural diversity.
8. Scottdale — $1,532/month
Scottdale offers quiet residential living 10 miles east of Decatur. This unincorporated community of 10,400 provides residential calm with quick access to Decatur’s walkable downtown, restaurants, and schools, allowing renters access to Decatur’s quality of life at a lower cost (median income: $82,778).
Best for: Families seeking Decatur adjacency at lower costs.
How to Choose the Right City Near Atlanta
Define your budget: Forest Park and Clarkston offer the most affordable options. Sandy Springs and Chamblee cost more but deliver walkable amenities, reducing car dependency and the costs associated with car ownership. Use the30% budgeting guideline—your rent should not exceed 30% of your pre-tax monthly income—to determine which cities fit comfortably within your budget while allowing room for other expenses and savings.
Prioritize your commute: For Midtown, Buckhead, or Downtown jobs, cities with MARTA access (Sandy Springs, Doraville, Chamblee) dramatically improve quality of life.
Consider lifestyle: Want walkable downtown? Choose Smyrna or Chamblee. Prefer quiet residential? Scottdale fits. Love international food? Doraville and Clarkston excel.
Evaluate transportation: Calculate total costs—rent plus commute. MARTA cities may have higher rent but eliminate car costs.
Think long-term: Consider development momentum in Sandy Springs, Chamblee, and Doraville.
Frequently Asked Questions About Atlanta Neighborhoods
What is the cheapest city near Atlanta?
At $1,175 median rent, Clarkston is the cheapest city near Atlanta, followed by Forest Park at $1,200. Both offer significant savings while maintaining reasonable commutes via I-285 and transit. Clarkston is known for international diversity, while Forest Park provides straightforward affordable housing.
Which cities near Atlanta have MARTA access?
Sandy Springs (Red Line), Doraville (Gold Line), and Chamblee (Gold Line) offer direct MARTA rail access. Hapeville has MARTA via nearby stations. This convenient rail access enables car-free living with 30-45 minute commutes to central Atlanta, Midtown, and Buckhead.
What are the best cities near Atlanta for families?
With walkable downtowns, community events, and parks, Smyrna and Chamblee excel. Sandy Springs appeals to higher-income families seeking urban amenities. Each provides strong community programming.
How long is the commute from these cities to Atlanta?
MARTA cities (Sandy Springs, Doraville, Chamblee) offer 30-40 minute rail commutes. Highway-dependent cities like Smyrna, Forest Park, and Clarkston typically see 30-45 minute drives during peak hours.
Are cities near Atlanta more affordable than Atlanta itself?
Many are significantly more affordable. Forest Park ($1,200) and Clarkston ($1,175) offer substantial savings. However, some like Chamblee ($2,130) may be similarly priced, with value coming from space, parking, or specific amenities.
Which city near Atlanta is best for young professionals?
Sandy Springs is ideal with walkable urban living, MARTA Red Line access, and nightlife. Chamblee also appeals with its downtown and breweries. Doraville works for those prioritizing MARTA and international dining.
Can you live car-free in cities near Atlanta?
Sandy Springs, Doraville, and Chamblee enable car-free living thanks to MARTA rail and walkable downtowns. Most other cities require cars.
What city near Atlanta has the best food scene?
Doraville and Chamblee—both on Buford Highway’s international dining corridor—lead. Doraville excels in Asian cuisines, while Chamblee offers Ethiopian to Vietnamese variety. Smyrna has a growing local restaurant scene, as well.
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