Long a bustling business and transportation hub, Atlanta has been one of the top U.S. real estate investing markets over the past decade. While home appreciation is expected to moderate throughout 2025, it still remains among the nation’s best.
Demand for housing and commercial space continues to climb thanks to population growth and a strong economy. With rising inventory and stabilizing prices, rental demand keeps increasing as well.
If you want to invest in residential or commercial real estate in Atlanta, many pros say now is the time to buy. Here’s a close look at the Atlanta real estate investing market to help you decide if it’s right for you.
Current Atlanta Market Overview in 2025
- Median home price: $435,000 as of May 2025, a 2.4% increase year-over-year
- Average home value: $401,017, down 4.1% over the past year
- Median listing price: $379,900 in May 2025
- Inventory: 14,754 active listings as of June 23, 2025
- Median days to pending: 36 days
Rental Market Trends
- Average rent: $1,900 per month, 5% lower than the national average
- Median rent: Approximately $1,742 per month as of May 2025
- Year-over-year rent decrease: Approximately 3%
Investment Opportunities
Atlanta dropped three places on the latest list of real estate investing markets to watch from PwC and the Urban Land Institute. However, the 21-county metropolitan area still ranks seventh in the much-watched Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2025 report.
Scorching price appreciation in 2020 and 2021 cooled by the middle of 2022, and home prices have risen and then generally declined since. Coupled with rising rental demand, Atlanta’s real estate investing market is becoming more dynamic and nuanced.
More people are moving to the Atlanta area, and more housing is available, transforming the rental landscape. Renters are more price-sensitive now, and they’re shopping around and looking for more amenities. This provides opportunities for investing in Atlanta real estate, but it may require more strategy.
The fast-growing area offers a range of property types and neighborhoods to consider if you plan on investing in real estate in Atlanta. About 54% of Atlantans rent. From the more cost-conscious to high-end renters, here are some neighborhoods to consider for investment:
- North Buckhead
- Midtown Atlanta
- Old Fourth Ward
- Grant Park
- Alpharetta
- Decatur
- Gwinnett County
- Peachtree Heights West
- Grove Park
- East Atlanta
Many of these areas are available for Atlanta commercial real estate investing as well.
Economic and Demographic Factors
From 2023 to 2024, the Atlanta metropolitan statistical area (MSA) grew by an estimated 62,700 residents, making it one of the fastest-growing parts of the country.
The Atlanta area grew about 8% from 2020 to 2025, adding 469,000 new residents to top more than 6 million in 2025. The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), responsible for planning for the sprawling area, forecasts the 21-county MSA to swell by 1.8 million new residents by 2050, reaching a population of 7.9 million.
The Atlanta region’s explosive population growth is driven by a thriving job market, relatively affordable living and other life choices. Along with boasting the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Atlanta is a major hub for technology, the recording and film industry, healthcare, and logistics.
When it comes to real estate investing classes, Atlanta is far from a one-horse show. Tech giants, including Microsoft and Google, are relocating offices to the area, further spurring the need for housing, office and retail space. Atlanta offers a variety of investment properties, from existing and new multi-family complexes to old neighborhoods for fix-and-flip homes to office buildings.
ARC expects employment in the Atlanta area to grow by 22% by 2050. That’s adding 840,000 new jobs in the next 25 years, bringing the total number to 4.58 million.
The region also boasts 17 Fortune 500 companies and 31 Fortune 1000 companies, and is home to the headquarters of more than 300 international businesses. All continue to attract workers who need office space and places to live.
Risks and Considerations
While many factors point in Atlanta’s favor, no investment is guaranteed a return, and they all have risks. The usual suspects — market volatility, interest rates and evolving regulatory requirements — are considerations that loom over any investing plan.
In 2025, you also have to factor in the impact of tariffs, trade wars and talk of a possible recession. That creates enough economic uncertainty that could lead to a slowdown in population and job growth in the Atlanta metropolitan region.
Property data company Cotaility recently ranked the Atlanta area second on its list of markets at “high risk” of significant price declines. While most real estate watchers suggest home prices in Atlanta are stabilizing, some concerns linger over investor sentiment.
After years of double-digit price growth, affordability is also a problem for local residents. If inventory continues to climb, some real estate professionals fear Atlanta’s housing market could collapse.
While price growth has slowed, the cost of a single-family home in the Atlanta region is still climbing, and rents are rising too. Paychecks, however, haven’t kept pace with housing costs, and any pullback from major businesses could impact Atlanta’s jobs and population growth.
A Refin survey from February to April 2025 found that 24% of residents in Atlanta searched about moving from the area, but 76% searched about moving and staying within the Atlanta metropolitan region.
If you plan on investing in real estate in Atlanta, consider that the market is somewhat competitive and can be highly competitive in certain areas. Conducting thorough research can help you navigate this dynamic market.
Consider the Atlanta Real Estate Investing Market
As one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S., Atlanta has witnessed robust job and population growth over the last decade, making it a leading market for real estate investors.
Potential risks loom as that growth continues, but home prices are stabilizing, creating both opportunities and challenges. Now that you know more about this dynamic market, you can decide whether investing in real estate in Atlanta fits your risk tolerance and financial goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are housing prices falling in Atlanta?
Home prices in the Atlanta metropolitan area began cooling in mid-2022, with most real estate sources reporting year-over-year decreases in the median list price of homes in early 2025. Home prices have dropped between about 4.1% to 10.6% in May 2025 from the previous year.
Is now a good time to buy a house in Atlanta?
Whether it’s a good time to buy a house in Atlanta depends on your financial situation and goals. However, with more houses available, interest rates stabilizing and home prices rising at a more moderate pace, real estate professionals say potential buyers may want to consider buying now.
What is the real estate outlook for Atlanta in 2025?
Real estate professionals note that the Atlanta market is shifting toward a balanced market after years of rapid appreciation and sellers having the upper hand. Home prices and sales are expected to continue to rise, but more moderately, providing investors with a mix of opportunities and challenges.
About Sarah Edwards
Sarah Edwards is a finance writer passionate about helping people learn more about what’s needed to achieve their financial goals. She has nearly a decade of writing experience focused on budgeting, investment strategies, retirement and industry trends. Her work has been published on NerdWallet and FinImpact.
