Buying a Home in Fulton County, Georgia

Written by Your Fulton County Real Estate Expert Britney Javens



If you’re exploring Metro Atlanta, Fulton County is one of the region’s most dynamic and desirable areas. Whether you’re drawn to historic charm in Roswell, high‑tech family life in Alpharetta, stellar schools in Johns Creek, equestrian elegance in Milton, or urban‑suburban balance in Sandy Springs, there’s a neighborhood here to match every lifestyle. Let’s dive into a city‑by‑city look—with prices, schools, commutes, lifestyles, and key considerations—styled just like your Cobb County post.

Roswell — Historic Charm & Strong Schools

Home Prices:

Roswell’s housing remains competitive, with median prices around $748,844. 

Schools:

Roswell overall has good school ratings with the average of 7.5/10. There are 68 public and charter schools in Roswell. Some notable schools include Roswell high school (8/10), Crabapple High School (8/10), Sweet Apple Elementary School(8/10), Mountain Park Elementary School (8/10), River Eves Elementary (8/10) and Roswell North Elementary School (8/10). For more information on schools check out resources like greatschools.org

Commute:

Roswell is about 20-25 miles north of downtown Atlanta, offering relatively smooth access via GA-400 or I-285. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is typically a 35-40 minute drive, making it manageable for regional and international travel.

Lifestyle:
With a vibrant historic district, homes set among leafy, well-preserved neighborhoods, and abundant green space including the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Vickery Creek, Roswell offers a compelling mix of charm, recreation, and strong community life

Considerations: Roswell commands a premium compared to many other Fulton suburbs-prices are notably higher. Schools perform well but draw high demand, and housing inventory can be tight. Still, for buyers seeking a blend of history, excellent schools, and suburban convenience close to the city, Roswell remains a top-tier choice.

Alpharetta — Tech Hub & Great Schools

Home Prices:
Median sale prices range from $725K to $780K, with some data showing slight year-over-year decreases offset by steady demand.

Schools:
The Fulton system has 50+ elementary, 20+ middle, and 10+ high schools in the Alpharetta area. Some notable schools include Milton High School (10/10) and Chattahoochee High (10/10), Medlock Bridge Elementary (8/10). For more information on schools check out resources like greatschools.org

Commute:
~25–30 miles north of downtown Atlanta; drive time depends heavily on peak-hour traffic.

Lifestyle:

A tech and office center with walkable centers like Avalon and high-quality schools. There are a few large shopping centers in Alpharetta that have restaurants and host events, these include Avalon, North Point mall, Halcyon and downtown Alpharetta. There are plenty of places to explore and exercise outdoors as well such as the 26 mile Big creek greenway perfect for walking and biking, Brooke Street park, and Wills Park which is a large park with sports fields, tennis courts, Disc golf course, playground and equestrian center.

Considerations:
Prices remain among the highest in Fulton; expect a fast-paced, competitive housing market. Home buyers are drawn by culture, lifestyle, high rated schools and amenities. 

Johns Creek — Top Schools & Diverse Community

Home Prices:

Median sale price in the first 8 months of 2025 was $898,109 which is more than double the average sales price in Georgia.

Schools:

Johns Creek is known for top-tier schools. One standout school is Northview High School – Ranked #1 in Fulton County and #6 statewide. Some other notable schools include Chattahoochee high school (10/10), Johns Creek High School (9/10), Creek View Elementary (9/10), Wilson Creek Elementary (9/10), State Bridge Crossing Elementary (9/10) and Shakerag Elementary (8/10). For more information on schools check out resources like greatschools.org

Commute:

Approximately 25 miles north of downtown Atlanta via GA‑400 or I‑285.

Lifestyle:

An affluent city with parks, golf, cultural diversity, and strong school performance.

Considerations:

High price points and competitive demand, especially for school zones.

Milton — Upscale Homes & Equestrian Lifestyle

Home Prices:

Median sale price in the first 8 months of 2025 was $1,482,694 which is more than triple the average sales price in Georgia.

Schools:

Milton has 32 public schools and many private schools. Some top rated public schools include Milton High School (10/10), Cambridge High School (9/10) and Birmingham Falls Elementary School (8/10). A notable private school school is King's Ridge Christian School. Having known students, teachers and the stats of this school having 100% college acceptance rate it comes highly recommended. For more information on schools check out resources like greatschools.org

Commute:

Roughly 30 miles north of Atlanta, offering a peaceful escape with a commute that can vary significantly .

Lifestyle:

Rural, equestrian charm with upscale homes on large lots. Ideal for those craving tranquility within reach of the city. Anyone looking for land for animals or just large lots in an upscale area with lots to do this is perfect for you! 

Considerations:

Top-tier pricing but a good amount of custom new construction on 1+ acre lots. Luxury market expectations apply. Home availability under $500k is nearly nonexistent. Most neighborhoods have HOAs which can include amenities, sometimes are gated and can have strict rules for members.

Sandy Springs — Urban/Suburban Balance

Home Prices:

Median sale price in the first 8 months of 2025 was $893,111 which is more than double the average sales price in Georgia.

Schools:

Sandy Springs has 11 public schools. Sandy Springs has an average GreatSchools rating of 6/10. Some standout schools include Heards Ferry Elementary (8/10) and Woodland Elementary Charter (8/10) . For more information on schools check out resources like greatschools.org

Commute:

Just north of Atlanta, offering direct access to the city via GA-400 and other corridors; MARTA service via North Springs brings fast transit options.

Lifestyle:

An upscale city with urban conveniences, top-tier amenities, parks, and walkable commercial centers near the Perimeter.

Considerations:

Higher costs and heavier traffic volumes; competitive housing market.

South Fulton (Fairburn, Union City, College Park, East Point) — Affordable & Growing

Home Prices:

Generally more affordable than North Fulton with broader entry-level options. Median price points in this area are typically in the low $300s. Specific city-wise pricing can vary.

Schools:

Under Fulton County’s jurisdiction—with varying performance across schools and improving district initiatives. For more information on schools check out resources like greatschools.org.

Commute:

Closer proximity to Hartsfield–Jackson Airport and southern highways such as I-85.

Lifestyle:

Practical, value-forward neighborhoods with growing commercial and transit infrastructure.

Considerations:

Excellent value for buyers, some new construction available with great incentives and access to public transit available in most areas.

Final Thoughts

Fulton County offers exceptional variety—from Roswell’s historical appeal and schools, Alpharetta’s dynamic economy, Johns Creek’s academic excellence, Milton’s countryside elegance, to Sandy Springs’ urban/suburban equilibrium. With price ranges from low $300Ks up to well over $1M, thoughtful buyers will find a community that matches their lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals.

If you are interested in more information on these areas or are ready to start your home buying journey call Britney Javens, your Fulton County GA real estate expert, at (678)780-8238.

 Reach out today — even if you’re just curious or have questions, I’m happy to help.