Roswell home values rank 13th in Georgia as council weighs first tax hike in a decade

Roswell's typical home value hit $653,146 in August, ranking it 13th among Georgia cities as the City Council prepares to vote on the city's first property tax increase in more than a decade.

A Stacker analysis of Zillow data published in Fulton Neighbor shows Roswell home values climbed 32.4% over the past five years, landing about $283,000 above the national typical home value of $369,678. The council is weighing a millage rate increase, with a state-mandated public hearing and final vote coming in the next two weeks.

Where Roswell stands

Among north Fulton neighbors, Roswell's home values trail several nearby cities. Milton ranked second statewide at $946,504. Alpharetta came in eighth at $716,629. Johns Creek ranked ninth at $695,041 and Sandy Springs 10th at $692,396. All five cities sit in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta metro area, which claimed 18 of the top 30 spots on the list.

Roswell's price growth over the prior year was 1.3%, matching the national average. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate stood at 6.76% as of Sept. 10, according to Freddie Mac data cited in the report.

Council scales back proposed rate

The city originally proposed raising the millage rate from 4.949 mills to 7.732 mills for Tax Year 2026, according to a Sept. 2 announcement. That would have meant roughly a 56% increase. For a homeowner with a $575,000 property, the city estimated an annual tax bill of about $1,778. Roswell's property tax rate had been roughly flat for the previous 10 years.

Residents pushed back. At the Monday, Sept. 14, council meeting, all 34 people who spoke during public comment opposed the original rate, Appen Media reported.

Former Mayor Jere Wood, who said he has lived in Roswell for 77 years, told the council that staff had recommended a 56% tax increase, but that residents had made clear they opposed it, The Georgia Sun reported. "It's time to listen to the citizens, and they've told you no," Wood said.

The council voted 4-2 to set 5.9 mills as a working starting point, a figure proposed by Councilmember Jennifer Phillippi. That rate is not final. City officials have identified roughly $18 million in capital needs for the fiscal year, including $3 million for road repaving and nearly $4 million to replace police and emergency vehicles, according to Fulton Neighbor.

The city's finance director said Roswell expects to finish 2026 about $5 million ahead of its budgeted projections, Appen Media reported.