NW Metro Atlanta Real Estate Market Stats
Verified data from the First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS), Georgia MLS, and Atlanta REALTORS Market Briefs. Updated October 6, 2026, with the freshest verified metro data compiled here and official county briefs added as they publish.
Section 1
County Market Overview
What Are Home Prices in NW Metro Atlanta Right Now?
Across the four counties we serve, median home prices range from $350,000 in Bartow County to approximately $490,000 in Cobb County. Cobb County's median settled around $490,000 according to the latest FMLS data, with active listings up year over year. Cherokee County commands the highest median near $500,000, reflecting strong demand in Woodstock and Canton. Paulding offers a more affordable entry at approximately $370,000. These figures are based on the latest published FMLS county briefs (Q2 2026) and verified local market data.
Freshest snapshot: Rolling 30-day reads from late August 2026 had Cobb County's median sale price near $405,000, down about 1.1% year over year, with homes averaging about 42 days on market. Cherokee County ran near $486,375, roughly flat year over year (about minus 0.3%), around 42 days on market. The official FMLS August 2026 report for Paulding County (published September 23, 2026) put that county's median sale price at $365,000, down 1.4% year over year; the rolling tracker had run near $359,997 (about minus 4.9%). Bartow County median sat near $341,900, up about 5.2% year over year, with homes going pending in about 30 days. As of October 6, 2026, official Q3 FMLS county briefs have still not published; the September 2026 metro data is now flowing in (GAMLS statewide snapshot for September: 6,944 units sold, 6,442 units put under contract; the FMLS Atlanta Core August preliminary showed active listings near 22,900, up about 3% year over year; GAMLS/Homes.com metro active listings about 33,869 in August, up about 10% year over year; roughly 5.4 months of supply) and will be compiled into these tables when the official county briefs arrive. Mortgage rates moved again in early October, with the national 30-year fixed average reaching 7.28% for the week ending October 1, 2026, the highest since November 2023, per Freddie Mac (up from 7.03% the prior week and 6.34% a year earlier). Realtor.com additionally named the week of September 27 through October 3 the best week of 2026 to buy a home, in metro Atlanta too, citing about 31.9% more active listings than the start of the year and prices about 3.5% below the seasonal peak, with price cuts at a yearly high of 20.8% of active listings in its September housing report.
Latest published county briefs — Residential Detached (Q2 2026); rolling 30-day snapshot above.
| County | Homes Sold | Median Sale | Avg Sale | Median $/sqft | Median DOM | Active (EOQ) | Median List (Active) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cobb | 2,143 | $490,000 | $589,623 | $202 | 14 | 1,207 | $539,000 |
| Cherokee | 1,135 | $500,000 | $594,188 | $211 | 17 | 689 | $585,000 |
| Paulding | 706 | $370,000 | $393,541 | $175 | 24 | 554 | $400,000 |
| Bartow | 366 | $350,000 | $404,614 | $180 | 27 | 278 | $409,250 |
Section 2
City Market Stats
How Fast Are Homes Selling in Each City?
Speed varies significantly by location. Marietta and Kennesaw lead the region with a median of just 12 days on market, followed closely by Acworth and Woodstock at 14 days. Canton homes sell in a median of 19 days, while Dallas and Cartersville are slower at 25 days each. Across all cities, homes that are priced correctly and staged from day one sell fastest. In East Cobb, the market is even more competitive, with homes moving in just 8 days.
Latest published briefs — Residential Detached(Q2 2026)
| City | Homes Sold | Median Sale | Avg Sale | Median $/sqft | Median DOM | Active (EOQ) | Median List (Active) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marietta | 919 | $550,000 | $662,025 | $216 | 12 | 476 | $617,000 |
| Acworth | 367 | $425,000 | $486,089 | $185 | 14 | 222 | $499,895 |
| Kennesaw | 264 | $449,450 | $533,853 | $186 | 12 | 141 | $565,000 |
| Woodstock | 423 | $495,000 | $558,602 | $215 | 14 | 199 | $550,000 |
| Canton | 491 | $530,000 | $615,265 | $207 | 19 | 323 | $621,733 |
| Dallas | 461 | $377,990 | $386,158 | $173 | 25 | 359 | $400,000 |
| Cartersville | 221 | $365,000 | $386,967 | $182 | 25 | 166 | $397,000 |
Section 3
Cobb Sub-Areas: East vs West Cobb
Latest published briefs — Residential Detached(Q2 2026)
| Area | Homes Sold | Median Sale | Avg Sale | Median $/sqft | Median DOM | Active (EOQ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Cobb (Allatoona, Harrison, Hillgrove, Kennesaw Mtn) | 422 | $550,000 | $633,298 | $184 | 14 | 280 |
| East Cobb (Lassiter, Pope, Walton, Wheeler) | 448 | $672,500 | $822,860 | $230 | 8 | 198 |
Premium insight: East Cobb commands a significant $122,500 median price premium over West Cobb and sells twice as fast (8 vs 14 DOM), reflecting the strong demand for top-rated school districts in Walton, Pope, Lassiter, and Wheeler zones.
Section 4
Key Takeaways
What the latest data tells us about the NW Metro Atlanta market.
Marietta: Fastest & Priciest City
Marietta leads the region with the fastest market (12 median DOM) and the highest median price among cities at $550,000. With 919 homes sold this quarter, it is the most active city market by volume.
Kennesaw Moves Fast, Costs Less
Kennesaw matches Marietta's blistering 12 DOM pace but at a lower median price of $449,450, making it one of the best value plays for buyers who want speed without the Marietta price tag.
Best Value: Dallas & Cartersville
Dallas ($377,990) and Cartersville ($365,000) offer the most affordable entry points with median prices under $380,000, making them accessible options for first-time buyers and investors.
East Cobb Commands a Premium
East Cobb's median of $672,500 and lightning-fast 8 DOM reflect premium demand driven by top-tier schools and established neighborhoods. Buyers pay for location and get a market that moves at double the speed of most other areas.
West Cobb: Better Value, Same Quality
West Cobb offers a more attainable $550,000 median while still delivering access to excellent schools (Allatoona, Harrison, Hillgrove) and newer construction. Buyers get more home for their dollar compared to East Cobb.
Cherokee Outpaces Cobb on Price
Cherokee County (Woodstock $495K, Canton $530K) posts higher average prices than Cobb County as a whole, driven by desirable schools and newer construction. Woodstock offers strong value at $495K with a 14 DOM pace.
Bartow: Most Affordable, Most Patience
Bartow County (Cartersville) has the lowest median price at $350,000 and the longest time on market at 27 DOM, offering buyers the most negotiating power and the best price per square foot in the region.
Market Context
Latest Metro Data: August 2026 Recaps, September 2026 Statewide Snapshot, plus Rolling County Trends
Georgia MLS (GAMLS) data for August, the GAMLS statewide September 2026 snapshot, the FMLS Atlanta Core August preliminary, the official FMLS August 2026 Paulding County report, and the Georgia REALTORS statewide August report are all in. Independent rolling 30-day county trackers round out the picture while we wait for official quarterly county briefs. Here is what the data shows.
GAMLS Metro Atlanta: July Recap
- Median sale price: about $405,000, down about 0.4% month over month, up about 2.5% year over year.
- Closed transactions: 6,461, roughly flat year over year, down about 7.8% month over month.
- Active listings: trending near 23,000 metro-wide (mid-year estimate).
- Months of supply: roughly 4.5 (mid-year estimate).
- Average days on market: roughly 54-70 metro-wide (up from about 30 at the 2022 peak).
FMLS Greater Atlanta: July 2026 Local Market Update
- Median sales price (detached): $475,000, up 2.2% year over year from $465,000 in July 2025.
- Average sales price: $610,246, up 6.4% year over year.
- Fewer homes went under contract and fewer closed compared with July 2025.
- Covers the 11-county FMLS region including Cobb and Cherokee; published August 13, 2026.
August 2026 Metro Atlanta (GA MLS / Homes.com)
- Median home price: about $395,000 in August, down about 1.3% year over year.
- Days on market: about 59.
- Months of supply: about 5.4, up from 4.9 a month earlier.
- Active listings: about 33,869, up about 10% year over year.
- Statewide (Georgia REALTORS, August): median about $355,580 with 5.1 months of supply.
GAMLS Statewide: September 2026 Snapshot
- Georgia MLS statewide membership snapshot for September 2026: sales volume about $3.16 billion.
- 6,944 units sold and 6,442 units put under contract in September.
- Statewide context; our NW Metro county-level medians continue to run well above the Georgia-wide median.
- Published on GAMLS' monthly market snapshot; reported October 6, 2026.
Redfin Atlanta (Rolling Three-Month Read)
- Median sale price: about $427,000 for the three months ending August 2026, up about 9.1% year over year.
- Homes sell in about 57 days on market, versus about 61 a year earlier.
- About 1,723 homes sold in August.
- Redfin's page updated September 30, 2026.
FMLS Atlanta Core: August 2026 Preliminary
- Active listings: 22,897, up about 3% year over year, roughly flat versus July.
- New listings: 8,473 in August.
- Closed sales, pending sales, and median price all below year-ago levels.
- Reported September 15, 2026; the story: buyers gaining more choice and more time to evaluate.
Rolling 30-Day County Snapshot (Late August)
- Cobb County: median near $405,000, down about 1.1% year over year, DOM about 42.
- Cherokee County: median near $486,375, about flat year over year, DOM about 42.
- Paulding County: official FMLS August 2026 report shows a $365,000 median, down 1.4% year over year; rolling tracker had run near $359,997.
- Bartow County: median near $341,900, up about 5.2% year over year, DOM about 30.
- As of October 6, 2026, official Q3 FMLS county briefs for Cobb, Cherokee, Paulding, and Bartow have not yet published; the September 2026 GAMLS statewide snapshot and August metro recaps are compiled above and official county briefs will be added here as they arrive.
Key insight: The August metro median of about $395,000 (GA MLS) and the FMLS/Redfin rolling reads both sit below our NW Metro county-level numbers, because metro figures include the full Atlanta region with inner-city neighborhoods and more affordable south-metro counties. NW Metro Atlanta (Cobb, Cherokee, Paulding, Bartow) consistently commands a premium, and rolling county tracking shows prices roughly flat year over year in Cobb and Cherokee, softer in Paulding (with the official FMLS August report at $365,000, down 1.4% year over year), and mixed-to-higher in Bartow. Mortgage rates climbed to a three-year high in early October, with the national 30-year fixed average at 7.28% for the week ending October 1, 2026 (up from 7.03% the prior week and 6.34% a year earlier), and Fannie Mae and the MBA both project rates near 6.7% to 6.8% through 2027.
Section 5
What This Means for Buyers
If You Need Speed and Value
Kennesaw delivers the fastest market times (12 DOM) at a competitive median price of $449,450. Be ready to move quickly: homes in Kennesaw that are priced right and show well go under contract in under two weeks. Get pre-approved before you start touring, and work with your agent to craft a clean offer with minimal contingencies.
For buyers on a tighter budget, Dallas ($377,990 median) and Cartersville ($365,000 median) offer the most room to negotiate. With 25-27 DOM, these markets give you time to compare properties and make a measured decision without the same pressure as Cobb County.
If Schools Are Your Priority
East Cobb commands a $672,500 median for access to Walton, Pope, Lassiter, and Wheeler districts. Homes here sell in just 8 days, so you need a pre-approved lender, a clear budget, and an agent who knows the inventory before it hits the market. West Cobb offers a similar school quality at a $122K discount, with homes moving in 14 days.
Cherokee County schools in Woodstock and Canton also pull strong prices ($495K-$530K) with 14-19 DOM, balancing school quality with slightly more inventory to choose from. Start your search by focusing on the specific school zone, not just the city name.
First-Time Buyer Note
With prices ranging from $350K in Bartow County to $672K+ in East Cobb, there are entry points for every budget. The most accessible first-home markets are Dallas ($378K median), Cartersville ($365K), and Paulding County ($370K county median). In these areas, longer DOM gives you room to negotiate and more time to evaluate your options. For move-up buyers, Marietta and Woodstock offer strong resale value and steady appreciation.
Section 6
What This Means for Sellers
Pricing Your Home Right
In high-demand areas like East Cobb (8 DOM) and Marietta (12 DOM), pricing slightly below market comps can generate multiple offers and drive the final sale price above asking. The data shows a clear gap between median active list price and median sale price in these markets, meaning sellers who price competitively from day one capture the most buyer interest.
In slower markets like Dallas and Cartersville (25+ DOM), pricing at or slightly below comparable sales is critical. Overpricing in these areas leads to DOM well above 30, which then requires price reductions that buyers perceive as a signal to negotiate harder.
Timing and Preparation
Across all markets, homes that are staged, professionally photographed, and marketed with virtual tours sell faster and closer to asking price. In East Cobb and Marietta, where inventory is tight relative to demand, investing in presentation pays off immediately. In slower markets, a well-presented home stands out against more competition.
Metro-wide, the July GAMLS recap combined with the latest FMLS data points to a days-on-market range of roughly 54 to 70 days with about 4.5 months of supply, indicating a balanced-to-buyer-favorable market at the metro level. However, NW Metro Atlanta's submarkets vary widely, from East Cobb's 8 DOM up to Bartow's 27. Understanding your specific local market is essential to pricing and timing your sale.
8–14
Median DOM in Cobb's fastest areas
$122.5K
East Cobb premium over West Cobb
~4.5
Months of supply (mid-year estimate, metro Atlanta)
27
Highest median DOM (Bartow County)
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Source: First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS) Atlanta Core August 2026 preliminary, the official FMLS August 2026 Paulding County report (published September 23, 2026), and Q2 2026 county briefs, Georgia MLS (GAMLS) September 2026 statewide snapshot and August 2026 metro data via Homes.com, Georgia REALTORS August 2026 statewide report, Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (week ending October 1, 2026), and independent rolling county trackers. Residential Detached. Data compiled by Team Haigh Realty. The official Q3 county briefs will be added here as they publish.
Updated: October 6, 2026 · Which city is appreciating fastest? → Interest rates update → NW Metro vs Atlanta proper →
About Our Data
Market data on this page is sourced from the First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS), the regional listing service covering metro Atlanta, with supplemental context from the Georgia MLS (GAMLS) metro recap, the Atlanta REALTORS Market Briefs, and independent rolling county trackers. Figures reflect Residential Detached transactions for the periods noted and are compiled by Team Haigh Realty.
- Market data sourced from First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS), Q2 2026. Median prices, days on market, and closed sales reflect the most recently published briefs.
- This data is verified and updated quarterly. We review and refresh these figures each quarter as new market briefs are published.
- Team Haigh Realty is a licensed Georgia real estate brokerage (License #351846) serving Cobb, Cherokee, Paulding, and Bartow counties in NW Metro Atlanta.
For a personalized market analysis for your home or neighborhood, contact Team Haigh.