Real estate investing in Marietta, GA is a different play from Georgia's cheaper markets. Homes here cost more, about $471,000 for a typical home, and houses rent for around $2,600 a month.1,2 The cash yield is lower, but Marietta offers something the cheaper markets don't: a deep, high-income job base in one of metro Atlanta's most established suburbs, and rents that are still rising.
Marietta is the seat of Cobb County, with about 64,000 residents, about 20 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta.3 It's home to Lockheed Martin's largest Georgia operation, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Wellstar Kennestone Hospital and a Kennesaw State University campus. That mix of engineers, medical staff and families who want good schools is a big reason single-family rental homes are in steady demand here.
Why investors are watching Marietta in 2026
- Lockheed Martin is hiring. In June 2026, Lockheed Martin announced 1,200 new Marietta-based jobs supporting C-130J Super Hercules and F-35 production and future Skunk Works programs.4
- House rents are rising. The average house rents for about $2,600 a month, up about $150 from a year ago, while rents are falling in several other Georgia markets.2
- Prices have paused. Zillow puts the typical Marietta home value at about $471,000, down 1.0% over the past year.1 Buyers have more room to negotiate than during the run-up of 2021 and 2022.
- A steady, growing suburb. Marietta grew about 4% from 2020 to 2025, and Cobb County remains one of metro Atlanta's most sought-after places to live.3
Marietta housing and rental market in 2026
Marietta's housing market has leveled off. Zillow's typical home value of about $471,000 is down 1.0% from a year ago, and homes are going under contract in around 42 days.1 That's a balanced market, with time for inspections and negotiation.
Rents are moving the other way. The average house rents for about $2,600 a month, up about $150 from a year ago, with about 421 houses listed.2 Across all rentals, including apartments, the average is about $2,300, up about $100.2 Rental houses are taking an average of about 97 days to lease, though, so pricing a home right matters.
- Typical home value: ~$471,000, down 1.0% year over year.1 Higher entry prices than most Georgia markets.
- House rent: ~$2,600 a month, up ~$150 year over year.2 One of the strongest rent gains among our Georgia guides.
- All rentals: ~$2,300 a month, up ~$100 year over year.2
- Days to pending: ~42 days.1 A balanced market.
- Gross rent-to-price: ~6.6% a year. Annual house rent ($2,600 × 12) ÷ typical home value ($471,498), before taxes, insurance, repairs and vacancy.
Gross rent-to-price is only a first screen. Before you invest in rental property, run the net numbers too, such as cap rate and cash-on-cash return, which account for taxes, insurance, repairs and vacancy. At Marietta's price points, a small change in rent or vacancy moves the return a lot.
Jobs, Lockheed Martin and population: what's driving demand
Lockheed Martin is Marietta's signature employer. The company has built aircraft at its Marietta plant for 75 years, including more than 2,700 C-130s, and the site supports more than 5,600 Georgia jobs.4 In June 2026, it announced 1,200 new Marietta-based jobs across advanced manufacturing, engineering, AI, data analytics and IT, and it reported a $4.5 billion contribution to Georgia's economy in 2025.4
Health care, education and defense round out the base. Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, Dobbins Air Reserve Base and Kennesaw State University's Marietta campus all draw workers who want to live close by, and much of Cobb County's office and retail employment is a short drive away.
The population is growing steadily, from about 61,000 residents in 2020 to about 64,000 in 2025.3 Because Marietta is largely built out, new housing is limited, which supports both prices and rents over time.
Marietta neighborhoods and areas to know
Marietta Square and the historic district
Victorian and early 20th-century homes on tree-lined streets around the square, with restaurants, theaters and the farmers market nearby. Prices are among the highest in the city, and older homes need careful inspection.
West Marietta and Kennesaw Mountain
Established neighborhoods and newer subdivisions near Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and Whitlock Avenue. Popular with families who want space and access to trails.
South Marietta and Franklin Gateway
Lower entry prices and a corridor the city has been working to redevelop, close to I-75 and Dobbins Air Reserve Base. More apartments here, and results vary street by street.
East Cobb
Unincorporated neighborhoods with Marietta mailing addresses and some of Cobb County's most sought-after schools. Prices are higher still, but tenants tend to stay longer.
Comparing Georgia markets? See our 2026 market guides to Atlanta, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Covington, Macon, Savannah, South Fulton and Warner Robins.
Risks to weigh before investing in Marietta
- Thin cash yields. At a gross rent-to-price ratio of about 6.6%, there's less room for repairs, vacancy and rising costs than in cheaper markets. Understand real estate market cycles and don't count on fast appreciation.
- Slow leasing. Rental houses are taking about 97 days to lease on average.2 Price homes to the market and budget for vacancy between tenants.
- Taxes and insurance. Cobb County property taxes and metro Atlanta insurance premiums have risen. Underwrite with current bills and quotes.
- Neighborhood-level swings. The square, east Cobb and south Marietta perform very differently. Check rents, crime and school data for each property. Our guide to real estate market analysis walks through the steps.
3 ways to invest in Marietta rental property, including fractional real estate investing
There are three common ways to invest in rental properties in a market like Marietta. They differ mainly in how much money you need up front and how much work you take on.
Buy a rental home yourself
Investment property loans typically require 20% to 25% down. On a $471,000 home, that's roughly $94,000 to $118,000 before closing costs and repairs. You also find tenants and handle maintenance, or pay a property manager. Our guide to choosing the right rental property covers what to check before you buy.
Buy a REIT or real estate fund
A REIT lets you invest with less money, but you own a slice of a large national portfolio rather than specific Marietta homes. See more ways to invest in real estate without buying property.
Invest in fractional real estate online
Fractional real estate lets you buy shares of individual rental homes instead of the whole property. With a real estate investment platform like Tirios, you can invest in real estate online starting at $100 per share, through the website or the Tirios app. Our guide to investing in rental property online explains how it works. The team handles tenants and maintenance, and rent is paid out as quarterly dividends, which makes it a hands-off way to earn passive income from real estate.
How Tirios evaluates a market like Marietta
Every home on Tirios is one our team sourced, underwrote and invested in ourselves. Technology helps us find the deals and amplifies the returns. Here's the process, or read more about how Tirios works.
Marietta, GA real estate FAQs
Is Marietta, GA a good place to invest in rental property in 2026?
Marietta is a higher-priced, lower-yield market with strong long-term demand. The typical home value is about $471,000 and houses rent for about $2,600 a month, a gross rent-to-price ratio of roughly 6.6% a year. Lockheed Martin is adding 1,200 jobs at its Marietta plant, and rents for houses rose over the past year, but entry costs are high and rentals can take months to lease.
Are home prices dropping in Marietta, GA?
Slightly. Zillow's typical Marietta home value is about $471,000, down 1.0% from a year earlier, and homes go under contract in around 42 days. Prices are steady rather than falling sharply.
How much does a house cost in Marietta, GA?
The typical home value in Marietta is about $471,000 as of September 2026, according to Zillow. Homes near Marietta Square and in east Cobb often cost more, while homes in south Marietta near Franklin Gateway often cost less.
What is the average rent in Marietta, GA?
Houses in Marietta rent for about $2,600 a month on average, up about $150 from a year earlier. Across all rentals, including apartments, the average is about $2,300, according to Zillow.
Can I invest in Marietta real estate online?
Yes. With Tirios, a real estate investment platform, you can buy shares of single-family rental homes online starting at $100 per share, and rent is paid out as quarterly dividends.
Explore more real estate market guides by city, or brush up on terms like cap rate and appreciation in our real estate investing glossary. New to investing? Read our guide on how to start investing in real estate.