By FlyGreet
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September 14, 2023
Atlanta: Where Size Matters Lending Tree's analysts delved deep into a comprehensive database of homes across the country. Their focus was on Core-Based Statistical Areas, which essentially encompass the greater metro Atlanta area, extending beyond the city limits. Atlanta's median home size, a substantial 1,914 square feet, places it comfortably between Houston and Washington D.C. However, what truly sets Atlanta apart is affordability. The median home value in this region is a modest $196,000, or approximately $104 per square foot. This puts Atlanta on par with cities like Cincinnati and Pittsburgh and makes it more budget-friendly than cities with typically smaller housing options, such as Detroit, Kansas City, and Chicago. In the realm of price per square foot, Atlanta stands as a beacon of affordability when compared to other top 20 markets, including Boston ($259/square foot), San Diego ($345), and the sky-high prices of San Jose ($693). Lending Tree aptly summarizes Atlanta's housing scene: "South equals size... Southern cities dominate the top 10, with Atlanta, known for its sprawl, at No. 2." The Charm of Southern Living For those wondering about Washington D.C.'s surprising third-place ranking, Lending Tree explains that D.C.'s affluent suburbs are home to the three wealthiest suburbs in the entire country - where wealth often translates into larger living spaces. Growth and available land also play a significant role in this ranking, evident from the presence of three Texas cities in the top 5 - Houston, Dallas, and Austin. Texas has experienced substantial population growth, and, as Lending Tree notes, more new homes usually mean larger homes. In a broader context, the trend toward larger homes extends across the United States. In 2018, the median size of new homes reached 2,412 square feet, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. While this is slightly down from the peak of late 2015 when the median size was 2,488 square feet, it underscores the enduring appeal of spacious living.