What it's like to live in LaGrange
LaGrange is a small city in Georgia with rent below the national average, home prices that remain within reach, unemployment below the national average, and commutes that run shorter than most cities. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. LaGrange deals with household incomes below the national average, crime rates above the national average, a poverty rate above the national average, and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Affordable home prices
- Low unemployment
- Short commutes
- Fast-growing population
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- Below-average household incomes
- Crime above national average
- High poverty rate
- High rent burden for renters
- Above-average rainfall
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
How LaGrange compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to LaGrange
Based on LaGrange's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,146
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $42,920 a year
- 56% of LaGrange renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$43,260
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $21,630
- Homes cost 4.9× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 24% below US
$1,073/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,073 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices here are genuinely accessible, with a median around $216,300. That kind of affordability is rare in today's market.
Median home value $216,300 · 56% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▼ 21% below US
3.4% unemployment
Unemployment here is 3.4%, a little below the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 118% above US
718 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is a real factor here, with violent rates significantly above the national average. That doesn't make the whole city a write-off, but it does mean specific neighborhoods deserve real research before signing a lease.
Property crime 3713/100k · LaGrange Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 15% below US
22 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 22 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 12% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are hot and humid, with highs regularly hitting 89°F, and winters are chilly but manageable, with lows around 34°F. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 5.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▼ 23% below US
28% bachelor's degree or higher
College degree attainment runs below average at 28%. That tends to reflect a more trade and working-class economy, which can be great or limiting depending on the industry.
Schools
10 public schools inside the boundary
There are 10 public schools inside the boundary and 4 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Horseshoe Bend National Military Park (40 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
LaGrange's strongest points are rent below the national average and home prices that remain within reach; the main tradeoffs are household incomes below the national average and crime rates above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,073/mo) equals 29% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget and job seekers.
Other places near LaGrange
All Georgia guides →Moving to Peachtree City →
37 mi away · pop. 39,576
Rent $2,086/mo · Income $113,987
Compare with LaGrange →Moving to Carrollton →
38 mi away · pop. 27,392
Rent $1,089/mo · Income $54,379
Compare with LaGrange →Not sure LaGrange is the one?
Put it side by side with another city.