Cost of Living Guide · Dunwoody, GA
Dunwoody pairs an affluent, family-oriented character with the Perimeter Center job hub and MARTA rail — a combination few north-side suburbs offer. That access shapes a cost of living well above the metro average. Here's the verified picture.
Quick answer
Dunwoody is a higher-cost north-metro suburb. The median household income is about $121,900 and the median home value is around $603,000 (U.S. Census/ACS). The combined sales tax is 8% and Georgia's flat state income tax is 4.99% for 2026. Like Sandy Springs, Dunwoody sits on the Perimeter business district and has MARTA rail, so many residents live and work close by.
Yes, moderately — it's above the metro average, driven by housing, but the trade-off is a rare mix of jobs, transit, and top-rated schools. Dunwoody shares the Perimeter Center office district with Sandy Springs, home to major corporate offices, and it's one of the few north-side suburbs on the MARTA rail line. That access, plus a well-regarded school and a walkable village core, keeps demand and prices firm.
The Census-reported median home value is about $603,000. Housing ranges from established single-family neighborhoods with mature trees to newer townhomes and high-rise condos and apartments around Perimeter Center. Proximity to jobs and rail is a big part of the price, especially for the condo and apartment stock near the mall and MARTA station.
Electricity is provided by Georgia Power; water and sewer through DeKalb County; natural gas on the Atlanta Gas Light network via competing marketers. Summer air-conditioning is the biggest seasonal cost. Set utilities to start on your move-in date.
Dunwoody is one of the few north-side suburbs with MARTA heavy rail: the Red Line's Dunwoody station sits at Perimeter Mall, giving a one-seat ride to Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown, and the airport. The main highway is I-285 along the southern edge, with GA-400 nearby to the west and Ashford-Dunwoody Road and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard as key arterials. The rail option can meaningfully lower transportation costs versus car-dependent suburbs.
Dunwoody is served by the DeKalb County School District (no independent city system), centered locally on the well-regarded Dunwoody High School. Strong school demand is one reason home prices here run above the metro average, so families often weigh the attendance zone as part of a home's value.
High-rise and mid-rise buildings around Perimeter typically require a certificate of insurance and a reserved freight elevator or loading dock; I-285 traffic shapes truck timing. Month-end is the busiest window. LIOO's Dunwoody moversBest neighborhoods in Dunwoody handle local moves, our apartment movers are COI-ready for high-rises, and long-distance movers bring households in from out of state. For a full relocation walkthrough, see our moving to Dunwoody guide.
Comparing Perimeter suburbs? See our Sandy Springs vs. Dunwoody guide.
| Measure | Dunwoody | Metro Atlanta | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | ~$121,900 | ≈ $85,000 | ≈ $78,000 |
| Median home value | ~$603,000 | ≈ $380,000 | ≈ $340,000 |
| Combined sales tax | 8% | 6–8.9% | varies |
| MARTA rail access | Yes (Red Line) | Partial | — |
Income and home-value figures reflect U.S. Census Bureau (ACS) data; market prices vary. Metro and U.S. columns are rounded reference points.
LIOO Moving is a Licensed Georgia Household Goods Carrier with insured crews, transparent hourly pricing, and 24/7 booking. Get a free quote and reserve your date.