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City · 10,426 residents · Chatham County, Georgia

Garden City , Georgia

In Garden City, a typical home is worth $169,400 and typical rent is $1,282 a month. Compared with all of Chatham County, the typical home value is 44% lower, typical household income is 33% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 13 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $169,400

    44% below the county

    44% below Georgia

    • Garden City
    • Chatham
    • Georgia

  • Typical rent

    $1,282a month

    13% below the county

    8% below Georgia

    • Garden City
    • Chatham
    • Georgia

  • Typical household income

    $47,814a year

    33% below the county

    38% below Georgia

    • Garden City
    • Chatham
    • Georgia

  • Households that own their home

    44%

    13 points below the county

    22 points below Georgia

    • Garden City
    • Chatham
    • Georgia

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$262,776
1.1% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,754 a month

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Garden City is in Chatham County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Chatham County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Garden City apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. The typical home in Garden City is worth $169,400, 44% less than in Chatham County as a whole ($302,700).

  2. The typical household income in Garden City is $47,814, 33% less than in Chatham County as a whole ($71,097).

  3. 44% of households in Garden City own their home, against 57% in Chatham County.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Garden City

What homes there are in Garden City, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

No kind of home is the majority in Garden City; the largest group, detached houses, adds up to 49%, less than in Chatham County (62%).

In Garden City there are many mobile homes: 20% of homes; in Chatham County, 4%.

Year built

In Garden City, half of the homes were built before 1980; in Chatham County, before 1986.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

At least 98% of owner-occupied homes in Garden City are worth less than $500,000, below the FHA loan limit for Chatham County ($541,287).

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$892 a month

Chatham County: $1,758 a month

Without a mortgage

$469 a month

Chatham County: $628 a month

Owners with a mortgage

53%

Chatham County: 64%

In Garden City, 53% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $892 a month, against $1,758 in Chatham County. Without one it drops to $469.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Garden City rose 39%; in Chatham County, it rose 56%.

The typical rent in Garden City rose 45% over the same time; in Chatham County, it rose 36%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureGarden CityChatham CountyGeorgiaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate6.2%6.8%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate1.8%1.1%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate1.7%2.4%3.4%
People per household 2.392.402.622.53
Drive alone 76%73%71%69%
Carpool 12%10%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate1%1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate3%1%3%
Work from home Unreliable estimate12%16%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate2%2%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

By size, households in Garden City look like those in Chatham County: 2.39 people on average.

To get to work, 76% of workers in Garden City drive alone; in Chatham County, 73%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Garden City?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home in Garden City, worth $169,400, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 34% of the typical household income in Garden City, which is $47,814 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $58,520 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Chatham County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Garden City. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $5,929 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,365

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$166,332
Total interest
$239,312
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,861 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,116 a month

  • Tight

    $1,116 to $1,434 a month

    Your payment · 34%

  • Hard

    more than $1,434 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Garden City ($47,814 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,365
Principal & interest$1,127
Property tax$93
Home insurance$71
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$75

You need at least $5,929 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Garden City and Chatham County

Garden City is in Chatham County, Georgia. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Garden City's own numbers

Typical home value
$169,400
Typical monthly rent
$1,282
Typical yearly household income
$47,814
Households that own their home
44%
Effective property tax rate
0.66%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Chatham County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,679
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+71%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
14%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Chatham County.

Everything about Chatham County

Buying

Buying a home in Garden City

A typical home in Garden City is worth $169,400: 44% below the county and 44% below Georgia. With the typical household income in Garden City ($47,814 a year), a typical home costs 3.5 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Garden City 3.5 years
  • Chatham 4.3 years
  • Georgia 3.9 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Chatham County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Chatham County rose 120% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Chatham County.

Period County Georgia U.S.
Last year (2025) +2.3% +2.2% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +71% +58% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +120% +110% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Garden City next to Chatham County, Georgia and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Garden City $169,400
  • Chatham $302,700
  • Georgia $303,300
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Garden City $1,282
  • Chatham $1,471
  • Georgia $1,393
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Garden City $47,814
  • Chatham $71,097
  • Georgia $77,353
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Garden City next to Chatham County and Georgia
Measure Garden City Chatham County Georgia U.S.
Typical home value $169,400 $302,700 $303,300 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,282 $1,471 $1,393 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $47,814 $71,097 $77,353 $80,734
Households that own their home 44% 57% 66% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $1,116 $2,541 $2,341 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.66% 0.84% 0.77% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 52% 54% 52% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Chatham County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Garden City

For a typical $169,400 home in Garden City, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Garden City's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,365a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $5,929
    Cash to close
    $11,011
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $75

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,334a month

    Down payment
    $8,470
    Cash to close
    $13,552
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $80

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,082a month

    Down payment
    $33,880
    Cash to close
    $38,962
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,238a month

    Down payment
    $25,410
    Cash to close
    $30,492
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Garden City and for Chatham County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Garden City

0.66%of the home’s value each year

$1,116 a year for the typical owner in Garden City.

  • Garden City 0.66%
  • Chatham 0.84%
  • Georgia 0.77%

What Georgia publishes Standard state homestead exemption (Georgia Department of Revenue)

Exemptions and deadlines in Georgia

Flood risk in Chatham County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Chatham County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
14%
12,957
Of those, with NFIP insurance
81%
County Georgia U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 14% 2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 81% 43% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Garden City

Typical rent in Garden City is $1,282 a month: 13% below the county. In Garden City, 52% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Chatham County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,679 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $32.29 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Chatham County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,481 $28.48 $59,240
1 bedroom $1,542 $29.65 $61,680
2 bedrooms $1,679 $32.29 $67,160
3 bedrooms $2,185 $42.02 $87,400
4 bedrooms $2,484 $47.77 $99,360

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Garden City

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Garden City has 2 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,520 in 31408 to $1,620 in 31405.

None is above the fair market rent for Chatham County ($1,679).

  • 31405 $1,620$2,110
  • 31408 $1,520$2,020

2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Garden City when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Garden City

HUD lists one building with rents for lower incomes in Garden City.

  • The Pines at Garden City 145 Priscilla D Thomas Way, Garden City 31408 94 low-income homes · For families (912) 964-1523

See all 82 buildings in Chatham County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Garden City

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Chatham County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.

A man shakes hands with the specialist who helped him with his loan, in the kitchen of his new home.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Garden City

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Garden City or Chatham County. The ones below are statewide in Georgia: they work in Garden City the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Georgia

  • Georgia Dream Homeownership Program

    Statewide in Georgia

    Georgia state program for first-time buyers: a mortgage with down payment assistance of up to 5% of the price or $10,000, as a 0% second mortgage with no monthly payments. Offered by Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

  • Georgia Dream Peach Plus Loan Program

    Statewide in Georgia

    FHA or VA mortgage from the Georgia Dream program with down payment assistance of 3.5% of the price (up to $10,000), or 4% (up to $12,500) for police officers, educators, health care workers, military members or families with a person with a disability; no first-time buyer requirement. Offered by Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

    Type not stated

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Garden City

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Garden City, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Credit.org - Savannah, GA Branch

    100 Bull St, Savannah · 5 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and credit workshops
    • and 4 more
    (800) 431-8157

  • Jcvision and Associates, Inc

    135 E Ml King Jr Dr, Hinesville · 30 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 9 more
    (912) 877-4243

  • CCCS of the Savannah Area, Inc. - Statesboro Branch

    515 Denmark Street Suite 700, Statesboro · 44 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 4 more
    (912) 691-2227

Every agency in Chatham County All counseling agencies in Georgia

Help in Spanish near Garden City

2 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Garden City

In HUD’s record, no housing authority with an office in Chatham County is named for Garden City or Chatham County.

One other authority has an office in Chatham County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Chatham County

These cities are also in Chatham County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Chatham County Housing in Georgia

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Garden City, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Chatham County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Garden City.

All guides
A mother holds hands with her two daughters on the beach at sunset.

Questions

Housing questions about Garden City

Short answers with the numbers for Garden City and all of Chatham County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Garden City?

The typical home value in Garden City is $169,400, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Chatham County it is $302,700.

How much does it cost to rent in Garden City?

Typical rent in Garden City is $1,282 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Chatham County is $1,679.

What is the FHA loan limit in Garden City?

Garden City uses the FHA limit for all of Chatham County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Garden City?

The typical homeowner in Garden City pays $1,116 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.66% of the home’s value; in Chatham County, the rate is 0.84%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Garden City?

There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Chatham County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).