Gwinnett County · Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta · population 18,642
Where Buford stands
Population growing 2.1% per year.
Home value trajectory · last 10 years
Zillow ZHVI · monthlyLifestyle scores
Scores are heuristic estimates from population density, state, and known transit/walkable cities. Not based on a paid Walk Score / Transit Score API — see methodology for the formula.
Rent trajectory · last 5 years
Zillow ZORI · monthlyHome value vs rent · indexed to 100
Both rebased at first month of ZORI data (~2015)Rent vs buy
At a 19.6 price-to-rent ratio, Buford is in the 'depends on horizon' zone. Buy if you'll be there 5+ years and value flexibility on the home; rent if you might move, want zero maintenance friction, or expect rates to drop.
How the momentum score breaks down
methodology →Buford has been growing population at 2.1% per year while home values compounded +6.4% annually. Demand-driven appreciation — the kind that persists as long as people keep showing up, which they currently are.
Buford's rents are softening (-2.8% YoY) while home values stall (-2.8%). When rents fall, the cap-rate math gets ugly for investors and the 'rent vs buy' equation tilts toward renting — neither helps prices.
About Buford
Buford is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, with an estimated population of 18,642. It anchors the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta metro area. The population has grown 2.1% per year on average between 2020 and 2024 — among the faster-growing communities in the state. The median home value in Buford is $472,535 as of 2026-04, down 2.8% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +6.4% annual growth (-3.9% from the 5-year peak). Rents in Buford average $2,007 per month, down 2.8% year-over-year. The composite momentum score is 60 of 100 (Stable). Conditions are neither hot nor cold, so the local fit matters more than market timing.
▲ Bull case
▼ Bear case
Playbook
Lifestyle fit matters more than market timing in a Stable market. Take your time on the home and neighborhood; the macro trend isn't urgent. Negotiate normally.
Price competitively from day one or risk a 60+ day listing. Staging, photography, and presentation matter more in Stable markets than in Hot ones.
Stable cap rates, no big appreciation story to lean on. Underwrite this as a pure cash-flow play — the math has to work on rent alone.
Local safety & alerts
No active National Weather Service alerts for Gwinnett County right now.
Public-safety links are official .gov sources, not curated by us. Gwinnett County routes NWS alerts; check the state EM portal for non-weather emergencies.
Cities like Buford
Run the numbers for Buford
Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.
Climate & natural-disaster risk
State-level averages from NOAA Climate Normals (1991-2020) and FEMA National Risk Index. City-level conditions can vary significantly within a state.
Local sports teams
Major professional teams the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta area cheers for. Detailed stats, schedules, and player pages on intherafters.com.
Current weather
Find rentals & listings
Open current Buford listings on the major real-estate sites.
Links open the live search on the destination site — results are always current.
Local economy & environment
Humidity is annual average relative humidity (NOAA). Income is Census ACS 5-year estimate. Industries are largest employment sectors statewide (BLS); the local mix in a given city may vary.
Cities similar to Buford
Explore other places with comparable momentum or affordability.