Best Suburbs Near Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia, is famous for its southern hospitality, its high-performing sports teams and its busy airport. Music and the arts have great importance in this diverse city, too, and there’s always a new gallery or rising artist to check out on any given weekend. There’s a lot to love about Atlanta, but not everyone is ready to commit to the traffic and dense population of more than 500,000 residents. For those seeking a quieter life within driving range of the city, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best suburbs.

10. Carrollton

• Population: 26,443
• Median Home Value: $149,200
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 16.8 minutes
• School Ranking: A
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,122
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 160

Located approximately 45 miles west of Atlanta, Carrollton is the largest city in its county, with a population of over 26,000 residents. Life in Carrollton is never dull. Whether you’re hitting the many bike trails, watching a show at the amphitheater or learning more about the state’s textile history at the Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum, we guarantee you won’t be bored. Find your new home in Carrollton today!

9. Suwanee

• Population: 20,569
• Median Home Value: $292,900
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 33.2 minutes
• School Ranking: A+
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 523
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 29

Suwanee is located approximately 33 miles northeast of Atlanta and is known for its great parks, ranging from Suwanee Creek Park to Suwanee Town Center Park, which includes a splash pad and an amphitheater. Residents also enjoy visiting the community garden at White Street Park by day and catching a bluegrass show at Everett’s Music Barn by night. Twelve homebuilders are building across 18 communities, so be sure to check out their home listings.

8. Sugar Hill

• Population: 24,112
• Median Home Value: $211,600
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 34.1 minutes
• School Ranking: A+
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 237
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 21

Located just north of Suwanee, Sugar Hill is a thriving community of over 24,000 residents. This sprawling community has all of the delights of a larger city, from its shopping centers to its outdoor activities. E.E. Robinson Park is the play to be to watch a baseball game, and The Bowl is the spot for concerts and outdoor movies. Your sweet home in Sugar Hill is waiting for you!

7. Duluth

• Population: 29,527
• Median Home Value: $212,100
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 31.3 minutes
• School Ranking: A+
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 537
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 20

There’s a lot to love about Duluth! Located 30 miles northeast of Atlanta, Duluth offers great restaurants, shopping centers and sources of entertainment. The Infinite Energy Center is a 13,000-seat venue for concerts, sporting events and conventions. Those wanting to test their ice skating skills can visit the Atlanta IceForum. Prefer historical activities? Swing by the Southeastern Railway Museum. What are you waiting for? Check out the homes available in Duluth!

6. Johns Creek

• Population: 84,310
• Median Home Value: $382,400
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 33.1 minutes
• School Ranking: A+
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 532
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 34

Johns Creek is the most populous suburb on our list, with over 84,000 residents calling it home. Located just north of Duluth, Johns Creek is home to great parks and nature preserves, including a park just for dogs. Johns Creek also has multiple golfing ranges and a great shopping plaza complete with many restaurants and a movie theater. Your new home in Johns Creek is just around the corner!

5. Buford

• Population: 15,189
• Median Home Value: $207,800
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 30.4 minutes
• School Ranking: A+
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 211
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 19

Located approximately 39 miles northeast of Atlanta, Buford is small in population but large in things to do. One highlight is the Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center, which features a bowling alley, arcade and restaurant. Avid shoppers will love the Mall of Georgia, which features a wide variety of stores and has grand architecture. Of course, you’ll also find all of the other amenities you’d expect in a suburb, such as parks and coffee shops. Look for your new home in Buford!

4. Alpharetta

• Population: 66,255
• Median Home Value: $392,200
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 28.3 minutes
• School Ranking: A+
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,204
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 42

Alpharetta is another northeast suburb of Atlanta, with a sizable population of over 66,000 residents. Alpharetta has it all, from top-class education to beautiful parks. Days can be spent shopping at North Point Mall or tackling the Wills Park Recreation Center, which even includes an equestrian arena. Spend your evenings catching a show at the outdoor America Bank Amphitheater or getting a beer at one of the local breweries. Take a look and find your new home in Alpharetta!

3. Peachtree City

• Population: 35,766
• Median Home Value: $318,500
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 28.8 minutes
• School Ranking: A+
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 466
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 18

Peachtree City has all the Georgia spirit, both in name and in activities. Located approximately 30 miles southwest of Atlanta, Peachtree City is full of beautiful parks that have everything from jogging trails to golf ranges. The presence of Lake Peachtree means plenty of boating and swimming during the hot Georgia summer. There’s also the thriving downtown scene, which you can enjoy with peace of mind due to the city’s notably low violent crime rates. Your peachy new life in Peachtree City awaits you; check out the house listings today!

2. Decatur

• Population: 25,732
• Median Home Value: $466,800
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 26.7 minutes
• School Ranking: A+
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 576
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 41

Welcome to Decatur! Only about five miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, Decatur is a beautiful suburb to behold, particularly the Decatur Square, which features a variety of restaurants and shops, all with aesthetic decorations. History lovers will enjoy the DeKalb History Center, which is in an old courthouse featuring artifacts from the Civil War and other eras. Discover your next home in Decatur!

1. Milton

• Population: 39,217
• Median Home Value: $534,000
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 28.7 minutes
• School Ranking: A+
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 288
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 11

Milton, an affluent suburb located more than 30 miles north of Atlanta, is relatively new, as far as suburbs go. Created out of unincorporated parts of Fulton County, the city was formed in 2006. Life in Milton is peaceful and quiet, and residents love the suburban-rural feel of the city. There’s no shortage of parks to walk in and golf ranges to visit, not to mention various farms and stables. With remarkably low crime ratings, a leisurely lifestyle and plenty of the great outdoors, it’s easy to see why Milton is No. 1! Ready to move to the top suburb in Atlanta? Find your new home today!

Additional Suburbs

Suburb	Pop.	Median Home Value	Mean Travel to Work	School Rank	Property Crimes	Violent Crimes
Peachtree Corners	43,509	$325,000	28.9 minutes	A	466	18
Roswell	94,650	$355,900	30.3 minutes	A	1,500	126
Cartersville	21,760	$170,500	24.7 minutes	A	1,089	125
Kennesaw	34,172	$182,100	33.4 minutes	A	428	57
Acworth	22,642	$173,700	31.8 minutes	A	503	24
Lilburn	12,644	$169,000	31.1 minutes	A	407	47
Woodstock	32,234	$222,500	37.7 minutes	A	491	42
Smyrna	56,706	$271,600	29.8 minutes	A-	1,459	117
Lawrenceville	29,795	$162,200	33.7 minutes	A-	559	60
Fayetteville	17,991	$215,200	32.7 minutes	A-	467	29
Canton	29,306	$192,800	34.4 minutes	A-	676	34
Loganville	12,532	$168,800	34.5 minutes	A-	320	16
Snellville	19,906	$163,000	44 minutes	A-	795	64
Sandy Springs	108,797	$447,800	25.2 minutes	B+	2,015	128
Newnan	39,784	$198,400	27.6 minutes	B+	1,052	182
Marietta	60,806	$273,300	28.7 minutes	B+	1,948	214
Villa Rica	15,541	$157,900	31.2 minutes	B+	583	57
Powder Springs	15,378	$154,600	38.4 minutes	B+	285	33
Dunwoody	49,459	$418,800	26.2 minutes	B	2,032	79
Monroe	13,573	$123,700	25.8 minutes	B	629	89
Winder	17,029	$144,700	31.3 minutes	B	731	89
North Druid Hills	18,947	$354,500	23.4 minutes	B-	1,050	133
Dallas	13,607	$148,500	32.2 minutes	B-	303	37
Covington	14,015	$148,100	27.4 minutes	B-	666	51
Stockbridge	29,638	$171,300	32.3 minutes	B-	709	69
Druid Hills	14,568	$573,400	24.7 minutes	B-	981	125
Mableton	37,115	$168,000	33.9 minutes	B-	973	140
North Decatur	16,698	$281,600	27.3 minutes	B-	1,050	133
Douglasville	34,190	$165,400	31.3 minutes	B-	1,841	193
Gainesville	41,464	$187,700	21.9 minutes	C+	1,280	158
Conyers	16,256	$122,200	27.5 minutes	C+	233	30
Brookhaven	54,145	$446,000	26 minutes	C+	1,456	187
Griffin	22,878	$110,700	25.5 minutes	C+	1,080	261
Chamblee	29,691	$245,500	27.9 minutes	C+	1,153	123
McDonough	25,782	$152,800	31.7 minutes	C+	662	37
Tucker	36,206	$229,900	32.3 minutes	C+	1,085	111
Belvedere Park	15,152	$132,800	36 minutes	C+	3,254	413
Forest Park	20,063	$63,200	28.4 minutes	C	962	134
Redan	33,015	$103,600	39.7 minutes	C	3,672	467
Lithia Springs	15,491	$111,600	29.7 minutes	C	3,331	423
Union City	21,873	$112,400	28 minutes	C-	461	74
Fairburn	15,882	$133,200	24.7 minutes	C-	660	52
Riverdale	15,594	$90,100	28.6 minutes	C-	558	97
College Park	15,212	$167,900	32.9 minutes	C-	1,035	156
East Point	34,849	$118,800	30.5 minutes	C-	4,260	441
South Fulton	97,277	$158,300	33.8 minutes	B	N/A	N/A
Stonecrest	54,522	$111,400	37 minutes	N/A	N/A	N/A
Candler-McAfee	23,025	$102,500	36.3 minutes	N/A	3,674	467

Every Day Is an Opening Day

Atlanta is a vibrant city that draws in crowds of new folks each year. Likewise, Atlanta’s suburbs have also been growing and diversifying over the years, and there are many great choices for those wanting to live close to Atlanta without living in the city proper. Whether you choose the big city or suburbia, you’re guaranteed to find a great place to live!

NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. These factors were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each suburb.