Top 10 Best Neighborhoods in Atlanta

The hunt for a new apartment in Atlanta can be fun. The city’s potpourri of lovely neighborhoods each boasts its own unique fragrance and, as with everything in life, it falls on you to decide which best suits your lifestyle. Equally rich in history, arts, sports and fun things to do, it’s great to live in the best neighborhoods in Atlanta, with fantastic job opportunities and room to grow around all of these vibrant areas.  

If you’re looking to live in one of the most sought-after areas in town, this is the best place to start your search. We found the Atlanta neighborhoods that are most searched for by apartment–seekers and put together a list of the top neighborhoods in Atlanta. Be sure to put these at the top of your list:  

Midtown Atlanta

• Number of large apartment buildings: 59 
• Number of apartments for rent: 15,400 
• Average rent: $1,909 
• Average apartment size: 929 sq. ft. 
• Median age: 33.8
• Share of renters: 61%

Being one of the best neighborhoods in Atlanta, Midtown is an assortment of green spaces, fine dining, diverse shopping, exciting nightlife and good times. If you plan on moving to Midtown, the residential part of the neighborhood offers a variety of choices, from high-rise apartment complexes and condos to single-family, 20th-century residences. If you love an apartment with a view, this is also the neighborhood with the highest number of tall buildings and skyscrapers, with a total of 19 such constructions. 

Midtown offers an abundance of amenities, from its proximity to public transportation and interstate accessibility to high-quality schools, parks and entertainment options. It’s also a place for creative minds and roaming souls. In this well-connected neighborhood that embraces the vibe of a big city, you’re sure to blend in seamlessly and feel like you belong — no matter where you come from. 

Read more about Midtown Atlanta here

Buckhead

• Number of large apartment buildings: 40 
• Number of apartments for rent: 9,900 
• Average rent: $1,607 
• Average apartment size: 986 sq. ft. 
• Median age: 35.3 
• Share of renters: 55%

A large, ever-developing neighborhood, Buckhead is the perfect spot for both those who want to advance in their careers, as well as for young families looking for a home. Considered the financial hub of the Southeast, this large, commercial area is one of the wealthiest among the best neighborhoods in Atlanta. Nevertheless, it’s still very welcoming. What’s more, Buckhead apartments are found in beautiful locations, along tree-lined streets with sophisticated buildings, and near above-average public schools and beautiful parks. 

High-rise apartments and condos are central features of this area, which continues to grow into a modern neighborhood, especially because of the shopping areas that surround it. Buckhead also offers a variety of dining options — from casual spots to gourmet choices — and remains active at night, when many of its rooftop lounges and hotel bars open. 

Read more about Buckhead here

Brookhaven

• • Number of large apartment buildings: 62 
  • Number of apartments for rent: 18,000 
  • Average rent: $1,495 
  • Average apartment size: 1,073 sq. ft. 
  • Median age: 36.0 
  • Share of renters: 34%

Centered around Oglethorpe University, Brookhaven is a safe, walkable option among the best neighborhoods in Atlanta, with a laid-back, suburban feel. While it’s well-connected to other areas through the MARTA system, Brookhaven remains a tranquil area, where you can stroll around spacious parks and live in beautiful bungalows. In particular, this neighborhood’s appeal comes from a mixture of elegant homes and country clubs, as well as mid-century buildings and modern apartment complexes. Notably, Brookhaven has a large number of high-end properties, coming in at 50 properties that average a rent of $1,552 per month. Otherwise, Brookhaven apartments come at an average of $1,495 per month.

Read more about Brookhaven here

Peachtree Corners

• Number of large apartment buildings: 40 
• Number of apartments for rent: 11,900 
• Average rent: $1,425 
• Average apartment size: 992 sq. ft. 
• Median age: 36.5 
• Share of renters: 47%

As a suburban neighborhood, Peachtree Corners is perfect for families. Here, the housing scene is mostly made up of large, established homes surrounded by trees. Its multiple parks offer residents a variety of amenities, many of which are focused on health and entertainment. The neighborhood also has an outdoor mall with attractive restaurants and boutiques. A family-friendly place, Peachtree Corners has many facilities for exercise, swimming and golfing, as well as gardens and clubhouses. 

Read more about Peachtree Corners here

Virginia Highland

• Number of large apartment buildings: 11 
• Number of apartments for rent: 2,000 
• Average rent: $1,808 
• Average apartment size: 1,038 sq. ft. 
• Median age: 35.7 
• Share of renters: 43%

One of the coolest places to live  among the best neighborhoods in Atlanta, Virginia-Highland — or VaHi, as the locals call it — is an upscale area that has been undergoing a revitalization process since the 1980s. Now, it has a great variety of shopping locations, art galleries, and walking and biking trails, as well as new apartment complexes. However, the charm of VaHi also comes from its old Victorian houses and Craftsman bungalows, which are spacious and beautiful. 

Although fairly close to the heart of the city, VaHi offers serenity and relaxation with many outdoor opportunities, spas, salons, yoga studios, and chic spots to dine and drink. 

Read more about Virginia Highland here

Atlantic Station

• Number of large apartment buildings: 5 
• Number of apartments for rent: 1,550 
• Average rent: $2,109 
• Average apartment size: 1,139 sq. ft. 
• Median age: 28.7 
• Share of renters: 67%

Atlantic Station was designed to encompass everything you might need — from apartment buildings to office spaces and a retail district — spread across three different areas: The District, The Commons and The Village. A modern neighborhood, it offers its residents various entertainment options, stylish restaurants, exciting events and more. 

Moreover, Atlantic Station is a very walkable neighborhood that’s also well–connected to other areas of the city. As a result, the neighborhood continues to grow in popularity, with investors continuously looking for opportunities to build something new and exciting — which explains why most Atlantic Station apartments come with an abundance of convenient amenities. 

Life here is fast-paced. With all of the people coming and going, it’s no surprise that renters make up the majority (63%) of Atlantic Station’s population. In fact, the demand resulted in quite the opportunity for rentals focused on providing amenities for those who call this neighborhood home. 

Read more about Atlantic Station here

Downtown Atlanta

• Number of large apartment buildings: 12 
• Number of apartments for rent: 2,282 
• Average rent: $1,567 
• Average apartment size: 976 sq. ft. 
• Median age: 21.6 
• Share of renters: 71%

Atlanta’s downtown area is its central business district and, therefore, home to many corporate headquarters, government facilities and the historic city center. It also might be one of the most diverse places among the best neighborhoods in Atlanta, especially in terms of housing, with a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, apartment complexes and high-rise condos, as well as redeveloped 19th-century buildings for a unique living experience. 

As the heart of the city, Downtown encompasses many of the Atlanta’s tourist attractions, along with a large section of its art scene. It’s also filled with restaurants, coffee shops, nightclubs, galleries, boutiques, office spaces, salons and gyms. Furthermore, although it’s packed with residents and buildings, the neighborhood also boasts green spaces where you can walk and relax. 

Read more about Downtown Atlanta here

Lindbergh – Morosgo | Lindridge – Martin Manor

• Number of large apartment buildings: 37 
• Number of apartments for rent: 9,600 
• Average rent: $1,565 
• Average apartment size: 907 sq. ft. 
• Median age: 33.7 
• Share of renters: 61%

These two places are also among the best neighborhoods in Atlanta, with renters making up the majority of their residents. Both neighborhoods are very populous with a dense, urban feel, and a strong sense of community supported by active citizens who want to enhance the livability of the region. These areas also boast a wide variety of shopping stores and lively restaurants, and both have everything from apartments and townhouses to office buildings. 

Read more about Lindbergh – Morosgo here

Briarcliff

• Number of large apartment buildings: 62 
• Number of apartments for rent: 14,800 
• Average rent: $1,380 
• Average apartment size: 1,059 sq. ft. 
• Median age: 32.5 
• Share of renters: 63%

Briarcliff is a community well-suited for families, especially because the main housing options here are single-family homes. This tranquil area has many green spaces and tree-lined streets, borders the Morningside-Lenox Park community and is a 15-minute ride from downtown. Renting a Briarcliff apartment will cost you, on average, $1,380 per month. 

Read more about Briarcliff here

Old Fourth Ward

• Number of large apartment buildings: 21 
• Number of apartments for rent: 4,568 
• Average rent: $1,664 
• Average apartment size: 944 sq. ft. 
• Median age: 34.1 
• Share of renters: 66%

Old Fourth Ward is in the heart of Atlanta and home to one of its most important attractions: the Martin Luther King Jr. historic site. Although mainly a historic neighborhood filled with the charm of Victorian houses and Craftsman bungalows, O4W embraced the modern times and has seen continuous developments, especially since the opening of the Atlanta BeltLine. 

This neighborhood encompasses many green spaces and outdoor areas dedicated to entertainment. You can find playgrounds, outdoor theaters, skate parks and even a two-acre lake inside the Historic Fourth Ward Park. The neighborhood is also known for its street art, which gives O4W a cutting-edge vibe. 

Read more about Old Fourth Ward here

FAQs 

What’s the most populous neighborhood for renters in Atlanta?  

The most populous neighborhood for renters in Atlanta is Brookhaven, with an estimated population of more than 190,000.  

Which is the youngest place among the best neighborhoods in Atlanta?  

The youngest renters in Atlanta live in Downtown, where the median age is 21.6.  

What’s the most popular neighborhood for renters in Atlanta?  

With a renter-owner distribution of 71% to 29%, Downtown Atlanta is also the most popular neighborhood for renters. 

 

Curious to find out more about Atlanta’s best neighborhoods? Check out our Atlanta Neighborhood Guides!

Living in Buckhead, Atlanta: The Beverly Hills of the South

Midtown – An Upscale, Bustling Atlanta Neighborhood

Morningside-Lenox Park: A Historically Charming Atlanta Neighborhood

Life in Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta – Vibrant and Exciting, with Plenty of Entertainment Options

Atlantic Station: An Upbeat & Entertaining Urban Neighborhood

Kirkwood, Atlanta: A Community with Small City Appeal

Candler Park: The Tranquil Neighborhood Inside Vibrant Atlanta

Castleberry Hill: Atlanta’s Arts and Culture Heart

The Wonders of VaHi: Atlanta’s Cool Neighborhood

Discover East Atlanta — The Hip, Bohemian Neighborhood of Atlanta

Methodology

This guide was created by RentCafe, a nationwide apartment search website that enables renters to easily find apartments and houses for rent throughout the United States.

The neighborhood selection is based on the highest number of Google searches for rental apartments per neighborhood.

Apartment data (average rent, number of buildings, number of apartments, average apartment size) is provided by RentCafe sister division Yardi Matrix, a business development and asset management tool for the real estate industry. The data covers only large-scale apartment buildings of 50 units or more, and does not include smaller apartment buildings or single-family home rentals.

Demographic data (median age, share of renters) is derived from the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

For customized data and other requests, please contact us at media@rentcafe.com.