What a 30-Minute Commute to Atlanta Saves You in Rent, Earns You in Amenities

It’s cheaper to live in the suburbs; that’s a fact nobody dares dispute, but what else does suburban living bring to the table? Well, let’s start with more space, walkable neighborhoods, a community feel, good schools, all within a 30-minute commute to downtown Atlanta.

But exactly how much would you save in rent if you moved to the suburbs? Yardi Matrix tells us that the average rent in suburban Atlanta is $1,019, whereas the urban average rent sits at $1,232. Yet simple math is not enough to get a feel of all the perks that come with suburban living, so we’ve looked up your rental options for a roughly 30-minute commute to Atlanta:

Roswell

Commute time to downtown Atlanta: 32 minutes (22.9 mi)
Best find: Arium Riverside, from $931/month for a 2-bed, 2-bath unit to 1,178 for a 3-bed, 2.5-bath (check availability)
Perks: private patio/balcony, walk-in closets, grilling and picnic area, expansive sundecks, swimming pools, controlled access, clubhouse, cyber café

Located in north Fulton County and featuring both newly developed apartment buildings and mid-century homes, Roswell stands as a great option for commuters; a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts – due to its numerous parks and trails – Roswell is also home to upscale restaurants, shopping centers, and many local events.

The best part: a stylish 2-bed, 2-bath apartment (1,258 square feet) at the Arium Riverside will cost you $931/month.

$931/month will rent you a 1,258-square-foot apartment in Roswell. Image via RentCafe.

Duluth

Commute time to downtown Atlanta: 35 minutes (27.2 mi)
Best find: Wesley Plantation, from $901/month for a 1-bedroom unit to $1,097 for a 2-bed, 2-bath (check availability)
Perks: Proximity to golf courses, parks, schools, and restaurants; spacious residences; clubhouse; fitness center; playground; sundeck; tennis courts; swimming pools

Located in Gwinnett County – area known for its many good schools – Duluth is a popular option among commuters, landing the 26^th spot in Forbes’ list of America’s Best Places to Move. Home to 26,000 residents, Duluth hosts many community activities and festivals like Fridays-N-Duluth, the Summer Stage Concert series, and Barefoot in the City.

Moving to Duluth saves you well over $300 in rent; $901/month will rent you a 1-bed, 1-bath apartment (1,000 square feet) at the Wesley Plantation, while pricing for 2-bed units starts at $1,044.

A 1-bedroom apartment at the Wesley Plantation rents for $901/month. Image via RentCafe.

Brookhaven

Commute time to downtown Atlanta: 20 minutes (11.02 mi)
Best find: Stone Creek at Druid Hills Apartment Homes, from $984/month for a 1-bed unit to $1,738/month for a 3-bed, 2 bath (check availability)
Perks: lavish all-inclusive amenities, swimming pool with cabana grill, nature trails, state-of-the-art fitness center

With many transportation options that can get you to Downtown Atlanta in 30 minutes or less, Brookhaven is the preferred choice for many commuters. The affluent suburb offers charming century-old cottages, good public and private schools, and plenty of parks – including the 18-acre Briarwood Park.

And while affordability is not necessarily a main characteristic for Brookhaven – the largest city in DeKalb County – we’ve found some great apartments for rent at decent rates. A 1-bed, 1-bath unit at the Stone Creek at Druid Hills Apartment Homes will cost you $$984/month.

$1,136/month will rent you a 1-bedroom unit at Stone Creek at Druid Hills Apartments in Brookhaven. Image via RentCafe.

Alpharetta

Commute time to downtown Atlanta: 32 minutes (26.4 mi)
Best find: The Pointe at Preston Ridge, from $1,100/month for a 1-bed apartment to $1,449 for a 3-bed, 2-bath (check availability) 
Perks: proximity to walking trails and wetland preserves; swimming pool with upgraded furniture; on-site maintenance; soon-to-be-completed playground, pet park, and upgraded fitness center.

The most popular choice among celebrities that move to the Greater Atlanta area, Alpharetta is known as a great place to live – with good schools, medical facilities, parks, restaurants, and shopping venues; however, note that traffic may stand in the way of your short commute, an inconvenience voiced by many Alpharetta residents.

And while the sought-after community is home to some of Georgia’s richest, renting is not out-of-reach; you can rent a 1-bed, 2-bath apartment at The Pointe at Preston Ridge for $1,100. Moreover, the urban Atlanta average rent of $1,232 will get you a 1,145-square-foot, 2-bedroom apartment:

Rent a stylish 1-bedroom apartment in Alpharetta for $1,100. Image via RentCafe.

Sandy Springs

Commute time to downtown Atlanta: 23 minutes (16.5 mi)
Best find: Hawthorne Gates at Dunwoody, from $985/month for a 1-bed, 1-bath to $1,455 for a 3-bed, 2-bath (check availability) 
Perks: resort-style pool, sundeck, bark park, 2 lighted tennis courts, car care center, cardio fitness center, cyber café, outdoor kitchen

Popular among families – thanks to its competitive schools, and wide range of outdoor activities and sports – Sandy Springs also welcomes many singletons that are drawn by large employers like IBM, Cisco Systems, and UPS, all three giants being headquartered here.

While there’s no shortage of rental options in this Atlanta suburb, we handpicked this beautiful 1-bed, 1-bath apartment at the Hawthorne Gates at Dunwoody that rents for $985/month:

Hawthorne Gates at Dunwoody 1-bedroom apartment rents for $985/month. Image via RentCafe.

Don’t want to leave the city? If what you’re looking for is spacious units, check out these stunning 2-bedroom apartments in Atlanta; and if they don’t fall within your budget limits, here’s what you can rent in Atlanta for $1,000/month.