What are average 30-year mortgage rates in Georgia in 2026?

The Georgia statewide average 30-year fixed mortgage rate in 2026 is approximately 6.7% APR. Rates vary slightly by city: Atlanta 6.7%, Savannah 6.65%, Macon 6.72%, Augusta 6.7%. FHA loans average 6.3%, VA loans 6.1%, jumbo loans 6.9%.

Which Georgia city has the lowest mortgage rates?

Mortgage rates within Georgia vary by less than 0.1% between cities — Atlanta, Savannah, Macon, and Augusta all hover near 6.7% for 30-year fixed. Larger differences come from down-payment, credit score, and loan type (FHA/VA/jumbo) rather than city.

How much income do I need to afford a typical Atlanta home in 2026?

With a $395,000 median home price, 20% down payment, and a 6.7% 30-year fixed rate, the required annual income to comfortably afford an Atlanta mortgage (28% DTI rule) is approximately $100,371. Adjusted for property tax ($303/mo) and insurance ($150/mo), the all-in monthly payment is $2,342.

Are FHA loans common in Georgia?

Yes. FHA loans are widely available in Georgia and especially popular for first-time buyers due to the 3.5% minimum down payment and credit score floor of 580. The 2026 FHA loan limit for most Georgia counties is $524,225 (one-unit); high-cost counties like Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Forsyth allow up to $806,500.

Does Georgia have any state-specific first-time homebuyer programs?

Yes. The Georgia Dream Homeownership Program offers down-payment assistance up to $10,000 for first-time buyers (or $12,500 for protected occupations: educators, healthcare, public safety, military). Additional state-level options include CHOICE for buyers with disabilities and PEN for protected service members.

What is the Georgia property tax rate?

Georgia's effective property tax rate averages 0.81% statewide, well below the US average of 1.07%. City-level rates vary: Atlanta 0.92%, Savannah 0.81%, Augusta 1.0%, Macon 0.92%. Many counties offer homestead exemptions reducing assessed value by $2,000-$10,000.

Should I lock my Georgia mortgage rate now or wait?

With Fed funds rate held at 4.5% through Q1 2026 and inflation trending toward 2.7%, mortgage rates may drift down 0.2-0.4% by Q4 2026 if Fed cuts begin. However, the cost of waiting also includes home price appreciation (Atlanta median up 5.2% YoY). Most buyers should lock when comfortable rather than time the market.

Georgia Mortgage Rates 2026 — By City

Short answer: Georgia 30-year fixed mortgage rates average 6.73% APR in 2026, with statewide median home price $283,933 and required income of about $72,219 to comfortably afford a typical Georgia home (20% down, 28% DTI rule). FHA loans average 6.3%, VA loans 6.1%, jumbo 6.9%. Rates vary <0.1% between cities — Atlanta, Savannah, Pooler, Macon, Augusta all hover near 6.7%.

30-yr fixed avg: 6.7%

15-yr fixed avg: 5.94%

5/1 ARM avg: 6.2%

FHA avg: 6.3%

VA avg: 6.1%

Jumbo avg: 6.9%

Median home (GA): $283,933

State property tax: 0.81%

Mortgage rates by Georgia city (top 30 by population)

City	Pop.	Median Home	30yr	15yr	5/1 ARM	FHA	VA	Jumbo	Income Needed
Atlanta	498,715	$395K	6.7%	5.94%	6.2%	6.3%	6.1%	6.9%	$100K
Columbus	206,922	$175K	6.76%	6%	6.26%	6.51%	6.26%	7.01%	$45K
Augusta	202,081	$175K	6.7%	5.94%	6.2%	6.3%	6.1%	6.9%	$44K
Macon	157,346	$145K	6.7%	5.94%	6.2%	6.3%	6.1%	6.9%	$37K
Savannah	147,780	$255K	6.7%	5.94%	6.2%	6.3%	6.1%	6.9%	$65K
Athens	127,064	$255K	6.7%	5.94%	6.2%	6.3%	6.1%	6.9%	$65K
Sandy Springs	108,080	$485K	6.7%	5.94%	6.2%	6.3%	6.1%	6.9%	$123K
Roswell	94,786	$465K	6.7%	5.94%	6.2%	6.3%	6.1%	6.9%	$118K
Johns Creek	82,453	$525K	6.7%	5.94%	6.2%	6.3%	6.1%	6.9%	$133K
Warner Robins	80,308	$195K	6.7%	5.94%	6.2%	6.3%	6.1%	6.9%	$50K
Albany	69,647	$125K	6.7%	5.94%	6.2%	6.3%	6.1%	6.9%	$32K
Alpharetta	67,213	$289K	6.77%	6.01%	6.26%	6.51%	6.26%	7.02%	$74K
Marietta	60,972	$281K	6.83%	6.05%	6.3%	6.54%	6.29%	7.08%	$72K
Stonecrest	59,073	$304K	6.68%	5.93%	6.21%	6.46%	6.21%	6.93%	$77K
Smyrna	56,628	$260K	6.82%	6.05%	6.29%	6.54%	6.29%	7.07%	$67K
Valdosta	56,457	$175K	6.7%	5.94%	6.2%	6.3%	6.1%	6.9%	$44K
Brookhaven	55,554	$288K	6.72%	5.96%	6.23%	6.48%	6.23%	6.97%	$73K
Dunwoody	51,683	$310K	6.74%	5.98%	6.24%	6.49%	6.24%	6.99%	$79K
Swainsboro	45,829	$260K	6.66%	5.92%	6.2%	6.46%	6.21%	6.91%	$65K
Gainesville	44,252	$299K	6.77%	6%	6.26%	6.51%	6.26%	7.02%	$76K
Newnan	43,645	$292K	6.71%	5.96%	6.22%	6.48%	6.23%	6.96%	$74K
Peachtree Corners	43,561	$262K	6.88%	6.09%	6.33%	6.56%	6.31%	7.13%	$67K
Bowdon	41,191	$300K	6.75%	5.99%	6.25%	6.5%	6.25%	7%	$76K
Peachtree City	38,550	$415K	6.7%	5.94%	6.2%	6.3%	6.1%	6.9%	$105K
East Point	38,358	$262K	6.74%	5.98%	6.24%	6.49%	6.24%	6.99%	$66K
Evans	37,747	$272K	6.85%	6.07%	6.31%	6.55%	6.3%	7.1%	$70K
Martinez	36,771	$286K	6.61%	5.88%	6.17%	6.43%	6.18%	6.86%	$73K
Tucker	36,542	$296K	6.76%	6%	6.26%	6.5%	6.25%	7.01%	$75K
Rome	36,303	$195K	6.45%	5.69%	5.95%	6.05%	5.85%	6.65%	$48K
Douglasville	36,187	$277K	6.86%	6.08%	6.32%	6.56%	6.31%	7.11%	$72K

Loan type guide for Georgia buyers

30-year Fixed

Most common. Predictable monthly payment for 360 months. GA average rate 6.7%. Best for buyers prioritizing payment stability over total interest minimization.

15-year Fixed

Higher monthly payment (~50% more) but pays off in half the time. GA average 5.94% (lower than 30-yr). Total interest saved: ~$170,000 on $316K loan.

5/1 ARM

Fixed for 5 years (GA avg 6.2%) then adjusts annually. Best for buyers planning to sell or refinance within 5-7 years. Risk: post-fixed payment shock.

FHA

3.5% minimum down (vs 20% conventional). 580+ credit score floor. 2026 GA loan limit $524,225 (most counties), $806,500 (Atlanta metro high-cost). Includes MIP for life of loan if <10% down.

VA

0% down for eligible veterans, active duty, surviving spouses. GA average rate 6.1% (lowest of all loan types). No PMI. Funding fee 1.25-3.3% (waivable for disabled vets).

Jumbo

For loans above conforming limit ($766,550 in 2026, $1,149,825 in Atlanta high-cost). Stricter credit/DTI requirements (typically 700+ FICO, 43% DTI). GA jumbo average 6.9%.

Georgia Dream — first-time homebuyer assistance

Georgia residents may qualify for the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs:

Standard Down-Payment Assistance: Up to $10,000 (loans for first-time buyers — must complete 8-hour homebuyer education)
PEN program: $12,500 for protected occupations (active military, public safety, healthcare workers, educators)
CHOICE program: $12,500 for buyers with disabilities or family members with disabilities living in the home
Income limits: Vary by county and household size — typically 80%-115% of area median income
Repayment: Forgiven if buyer remains in home 5 years; otherwise, 0% interest deferred until sale or refinance

Related Amortio resources

Sources: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (Q1 2026), Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Georgia Dream guidelines, FHFA Conforming Loan Limit (2026 schedule), FHA Loan Limit by County (HUD 2026), Georgia Department of Revenue property tax data, US Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates 2019-2023. Rates shown are statewide averages — actual rates vary by lender, credit score, down payment, and loan terms. Always shop multiple lenders before committing.