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Atlanta's Fastest-Growing Housing Markets: 2023 Zillow Data Reveals Ten Suburbs With Rapid Appreciation
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Published in House and Home on Friday, November 21st 2025 at 14:40 GMT by WSB-TV- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Atlanta’s Hot‑Spot Homes: The Fastest‑Growing Cities in the Metro Area
A recent WSB‑TV feature, “Cities With Fastest‑Growing Home Prices in the Atlanta Metro Area,” pulls together a mix of raw data, expert commentary, and on‑the‑ground reporting to paint a picture of where buyers are packing the most value in the region. By digging into the latest Zillow Home Price Index (ZHPI) data, the article highlights ten suburbs and city centers that are experiencing the sharpest price appreciation in 2023, and it offers context for why those pockets of growth are taking off. Below is a detailed rundown of the article’s key findings, the underlying factors, and what the future might hold for Atlanta’s housing market.
1. The List of Fastest‑Growing Cities
| Rank | City / Suburb | Year‑over‑Year Price Growth | Median Home Price (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Decatur | ~20 % | ~$650 k |
| 2 | Alpharetta | ~18 % | ~$650 k |
| 3 | Sandy Springs | ~17 % | ~$600 k |
| 4 | Brookhaven | ~15 % | ~$575 k |
| 5 | Roswell | ~14 % | ~$500 k |
| 6 | Johns Creek | ~11–12 % | ~$550 k |
| 7 | Duluth | ~13 % | ~$350 k |
| 8 | Marietta | ~12 % | ~$400 k |
| 9 | Stone Mountain | ~10 % | ~$300 k |
| 10 | Atlanta (Midtown & Eastside) | ~9 % | ~$350 k |
Sources: Zillow Home Price Index (latest quarterly update), supplemented by data from the National Association of Realtors and local MLS feeds.
The headline numbers are striking in two ways. First, the percentage gains exceed the overall regional average of roughly 7 % for the same period. Second, the median price ranges show that buyers are being hit hardest in the lower‑to‑mid‑tier price brackets—particularly in Duluth and Stone Mountain—while the more expensive pockets like Decatur and Alpharetta are also experiencing sizable gains.
2. Why These Cities Are Surging
The WSB article explains that a combination of supply constraints, demand migration, and local economic strength are driving the price curves.
A. Limited Housing Supply
- Scarce Land: Many of the fastest‑growing suburbs (e.g., Decatur, Alpharetta) are “land‑locked,” meaning developers have only a handful of tracts available for new construction.
- Zoning Restrictions: Local zoning codes often limit the density of new homes, which keeps inventory low. The article links to a City of Decatur zoning map that details the restrictions on multi‑family units.
- Construction Bottlenecks: Supply chain issues for lumber and concrete, coupled with labor shortages, have delayed many projects. WSB’s field team interviewed several builders who confirmed that permitting delays add to the scarcity.
B. Migration and Job Growth
- Tech & Finance Hubs: Many of these cities sit within the reach of the “Silicon Prairie” (Alpharetta, Johns Creek) and the burgeoning tech corridor along I‑285. Job growth in software, logistics, and biotech keeps wages climbing, boosting home‑buying power.
- Remote Work Legacy: Even as office‑to‑home patterns normalize, many workers still choose to live in quieter suburbs with higher quality of life and better school districts. The article cites a 2023 Census Bureau migration report that shows a net influx of families into the Decatur and Sandy Springs areas.
C. Quality of Life & Amenities
- School Ratings: Decatur and Alpharetta consistently rank in the top ten Georgia school districts, a key factor for families.
- Walkability & Green Spaces: Brookhaven’s downtown redevelopment and Roswell’s historic district attract younger buyers who value walkability and cultural amenities.
- Crime & Safety: Crime statistics are cited from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) database, illustrating that many of the high‑growth pockets have lower violent crime rates compared to the city core.
3. What the Numbers Mean for Buyers
The article goes beyond raw growth rates to help potential homeowners understand the practical implications.
- Affordability Gap: Even with price appreciation, some buyers are priced out. The article references a WSB‑News video that shows how median household income in Decatur (~$90 k) is approaching the threshold required to comfortably afford a $650 k home at a 30‑year fixed mortgage (assuming 3.5 % interest).
- Mortgage Rates: The piece points out that the current 30‑year fixed rate sits at ~7 % (per Freddie Mac), which offsets some of the price gains by raising monthly payments.
- Investment View: Real estate agents quoted in the article argue that the growth curves suggest a “buy‑now, hold‑long” strategy, especially in the high‑growth but lower‑to‑mid‑price segments like Duluth.
4. Looking Forward: What’s Next for Atlanta’s Housing Market?
The WSB article concludes with a forward‑looking segment, featuring input from a local urban planner and a mortgage broker.
A. Potential Slowdown?
- Mortgage Rate Hikes: The mortgage broker warns that a sustained rise in rates could temper price growth. A 1‑point jump could translate to a ~12 % drop in monthly payments, making homes less affordable.
- Economic Headwinds: The planner highlights that a slowdown in the tech sector could reduce the influx of high‑earning workers, which would dampen demand.
B. Supply‑Side Interventions
- Zoning Reform: Several city councils (e.g., Sandy Springs, Brookhaven) are considering zoning changes that would allow higher density housing. The article links to the City of Sandy Springs’ draft ordinance on mixed‑use developments.
- Inclusionary Housing: A local nonprofit highlighted an upcoming initiative to require a small percentage of new units to be priced below market rate, aiming to curb affordability gaps.
C. Policy and Advocacy
- State Housing Fund: The piece briefly covers the Georgia Housing Finance Agency’s (GHFA) recent expansion of its affordable housing loan program, which could spur new construction in some of the slower‑moving markets like Stone Mountain.
- Community Engagement: The article ends with a call to action for residents to attend upcoming town‑hall meetings, where planners will discuss the potential for higher‑density housing and infrastructure upgrades.
5. Additional Resources Highlighted in the Article
- WSB News Video Series: “Behind the Numbers: Atlanta Housing Trends” (link embedded in the article)
- Zillow’s Home Price Index Dashboard (link to the interactive map)
- National Association of Realtors – Georgia Market Report (PDF download)
- City Zoning Maps: Decatur and Sandy Springs (PDF)
Bottom Line
WSB-TV’s feature does more than just list the hottest housing markets; it digs into the why and the what. The fastest‑growing cities in the Atlanta metro area are not just hot real estate—they are the product of deliberate planning, limited supply, and a shift in how people choose to live. For buyers, the numbers offer both an opportunity and a caution: price gains have made the region more competitive, but rising mortgage rates and affordability gaps mean that buyers need to be smart and strategic.
Whether you’re a first‑time buyer eyeing a move into Alpharetta, a seasoned investor tracking price curves in Decatur, or simply a curious resident wondering what’s driving your city’s growth, the article provides a comprehensive snapshot—and the links it offers let you dive deeper into the data that matters most.
Read the Full WSB-TV Article at:
[ https://www.wsbtv.com/news/cities-with-fastest-growing-home-prices-atlanta-metro-area/2RLJ2YCUURNBPDCI4WJRZVE33A/ ]
