Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Dalton, GA
The median monthly rent in Dalton, GA is $1,480, translating to $17,760 in annual gross rental income per unit. The rent-to-price ratio is 0.60% — well below the 1% rule, making pure cash flow investing challenging at median prices.
Renters in Dalton spend approximately 36% of the local median household income ($49,350) on rent. This exceeds the standard 30% affordability threshold, suggesting rent growth may face resistance — but it also means a large portion of the population finds buying even more out of reach, supporting rental demand.
The vacancy rate in Dalton is 6.2%. This is a healthy vacancy rate that indicates balanced supply and demand. You should be able to find quality tenants without extended vacancies, though expect normal turnover periods of 2-4 weeks between tenants. Population growth of 0.9% annually provides stable demand.
Dalton's GRM (price divided by annual rent) is 13.8x. A GRM between 12-16x is moderate and typical of balanced markets. Deals can work but you need to keep expenses controlled. For comparison, the national average GRM for investment-grade rentals is approximately 13-15x.
At the median rent of $1,480/mo, a single-family rental in Dalton generates approximately $17,760 in gross annual income. After accounting for 6.2% vacancy ($1,101 lost), property taxes of $2,279, insurance (~$980), and maintenance (~$980), the estimated NOI is $12,420 per year, or $1,035/mo.
Dalton vs Georgia state average and national average across key investment metrics. Dalton outperforms both benchmarks on cap rate.