The Atlanta Commercial Real Estate Market

Shanti Ryle

November 21, 2025

Overhead photo of the Mercedes arena in Atlanta, Georgia

Key Takeaways

Atlanta continues to rank among the most compelling large metros for long-term CRE investment, supported by outsized population growth, a young and educated workforce, and a diversified economy anchored by logistics, healthcare, technology, and corporate headquarters.
Industrial remains Atlanta’s backbone asset class, where positive absorption, scaled-back new construction, and unmatched transportation infrastructure reinforce the metro’s role as a national distribution hub despite slightly higher vacancy.
Office performance is increasingly concentrated in amenity-rich submarkets like Midtown and Central Perimeter, creating a clear divide that favors investors targeting well-located, transit-accessible, and recently upgraded assets.
Multifamily and retail fundamentals reflect durable consumer demand, with steady absorption, limited retail development, and slowing multifamily deliveries positioning select submarkets for tighter conditions and stable cash flow going forward.

Atlanta is the economic engine of the Southeastern U.S., boasting a fast-moving market rich in opportunities. Shaped by innovation, culture, and ongoing growth, the city consistently attracts both businesses and investors searching for long-term value.

What sets Atlanta apart is its energy. It blends global connectivity with Southern hospitality, hosts a thriving arts and food scene, and nurtures a tech and logistics hub that’s fueling tomorrow’s economy. From corporate headquarters to fast-growing startups, Atlanta supports a wide range of industries - and commercial real estate sits at the heart of its continued expansion.

At Crexi, we support this dynamic market with tools built to simplify every step of the commercial real estate journey. Our digital marketplace and suite of intelligence tools help buyers, tenants, and brokers connect with precision and speed. To date, Crexi has supported over $615 billion in transactions, and marketed more than 500,000 properties valued at over $7 trillion.

We’re proud to serve Atlanta, Fulton County, Sandy Springs, Hapeville, and beyond, making it easier for professionals across the region to make smart, confident real estate decisions.

Downtown Atlanta, Georgia, with historic buildings against the skyline

Atlanta Commercial Real Estate Overview

Atlanta’s commercial real estate market remains one of the most dynamic in the country. Recently ranked the fourth most attractive metro for CRE investment by CBRE, Atlanta continues to stand out for its resilience, affordability, and long-term growth potential.

What makes Atlanta so appealing is its unique balance of opportunity and stability. The city’s diverse economy, anchored by sectors like logistics, healthcare, technology, and media, supports consistent demand across asset classes. A steady pipeline of talent from regional universities and medical institutions adds to the momentum, while world-class infrastructure, including an international airport and major highway systems, keeps Atlanta firmly connected to the rest of the country.

These strengths are reflected in the market’s performance. With solid fundamentals and a proven ability to adapt through changing cycles, Atlanta continues to earn its place as a top-tier destination for commercial real estate investment and development.

Atlanta Regional Context

Metro Atlanta is on track to reach nearly 7.9 million residents by 2050, reflecting one of the fastest-growing populations in the country. This upward trend is powered by a mix of strong job opportunities, a relatively affordable cost of living, and a steady influx of newcomers from across the U.S. and abroad.

Home to major counties like Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Gwinnett, the region offers a diverse mix of neighborhoods and economic centers that continue to attract both businesses and residents. Atlanta’s metro footprint is expanding in every direction, reshaping the region’s housing, infrastructure, and commercial development outlook for the years ahead.

The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metropolitan area has more than 6.3 million residents, with over 510,000 people living within the Atlanta city limits.
Every single one of Atlanta’s 11 counties saw population growth from 2024 to 2025, with Fulton County marking an increase of nearly 19,000 residents.
Atlanta easily earns the title of Georgia’s most populous city.
The median age in Atlanta is 34.5, a little less than the figure in the US.
The per capita income in Atlanta is $64,950, while the median household income is $85,880 - both higher than the overall figures for the state of Georgia.
Nearly 45% of households have an income of $100,000 or more.
Atlanta’s cost of living is about 4% below the national average, with housing notably more affordable than in most major cities.

People mill about the outside of an Atlanta sports arena

Atlanta Job Market

Atlanta’s economic engine is driven by a balance of high-growth industries, corporate headquarters, and a well-educated workforce. Long known as a hub for logistics and global business, the metro area is also gaining ground in sectors like healthcare, tech, finance, and advanced manufacturing.

Backed by major universities and a deep talent pool, Atlanta’s labor market is equal parts resilient and competitive. It’s no surprise the city routinely ranks among the top spots for doing business, including being named the No. 1 state for business by Area Development for several years running. With strategic infrastructure and a steady pipeline of development, Atlanta’s job market shows no signs of slowing down.

Data from the St. Louis Fed puts the Atlanta metro area’s GDP at nearly $571 billion, growing by more than 30% over the past five years.
The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA unemployment rate is 3.5%, as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (August 2025).
From 2024 to 2025, the metro area saw major growth across numerous industry sectors, including information (11.1% increase), education and health services (5% increase), and professional and business services (7.5% increase).
More than three dozen Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies are headquartered in Atlanta, including The Home Depot, UPS, Delta Airlines, and Coca-Cola.
Major employers in Atlanta include Delta Airlines, Northside Hospital, Piedmont Healthcare, Publix Super Markets Inc., and Wellstar Health System.
The city’s target industries span virtually every sector, ranging from FinTech and electric transportation to manufacturing and life sciences.
Nearly 60% of Atlanta residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is about 1.5 times the rate statewide.
Major universities and colleges in Atlanta include Emory University, Georgia State University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University.
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport,one of the busiest airports in the world, is located in Atlanta.
The city’s transportation infrastructure includes a network of interstate highways including I-20, I-75, I-85, and I-285, and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).
Upcoming CRE development projects in Atlanta include the massive redevelopment of Centennial Yards, as well as the highly anticipated revitalization of dozens of buildings in the historic Downtown.

A mural with the phrase "Atlanta Made" and an arrow pointing to the right

Atlanta Industrial Market

Atlanta’s industrial sector continues to show staying power, even as new development activity slows and vacancy ticks up in certain pockets of the metro. Demand from major logistics and e-commerce tenants is holding steady, with large leases helping drive positive absorption in key submarkets.

While new construction has scaled back from previous highs, that slowdown is helping stabilize market conditions and ease concerns about oversupply. With access to major highways, rail, and one of the world’s busiest airports, there’s no question that Atlanta remains a strategic hub for distribution and industrial operations.

Market overview (Cushman & Wakefield Q3 2025)

Inventory: 792,277,949 SF
Vacancy rate: 9.3%
Absorption: 2,314,498 SF (YTD)
Under construction: 2,950,125 SF
Deliveries: 4,114,638 SF (Q3 2025)
Key leases by tenant: Williams-Sonoma (1,074,596 SF), US eLogistics (633,2699 SF), GXO (560,625 SF)
Largest submarkets: I-85 North Corridor, I-75 North Corridor, I-20 West/Fulton Industrial

Crexi Insights

These are the most recent Atlanta industrial lease and sales trends from Crexi Insights (as of November 2025):

For Lease (active)

Asking rate/SqFt (median): $14 per year
Median SqFt/listing: 7,500
Days on market: 215
Total listings on Crexi: 201 spaces

For Sale (active)

Median asking price: $2 million
Price/SqFt: $162
Asking cap rate: 0%
Days on market: 155
Total listings on Crexi: 35 spaces

Sales Comps (past 12 months)

Median sold price: $1.2 million
Sold price/SqFt: $155
Total sales volume: $135.5 million
Median SqFt sold/transaction: 8,845
Total SqFt sold: 969,000
Days on market (median): 160

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Downtown Atlanta with a ferris wheel in the foreground

Atlanta Office Market

The Atlanta office market is finding its footing in a new era of workplace needs. Demand is strongest in amenity-rich areas like Midtown and Central Perimeter, where tenants are drawn to a mix of updated inventory and transit access.

While vacancy remains elevated in some corridors, the limited pipeline of new construction has helped keep conditions relatively stable. With limited new construction in the pipeline, existing space is doing the heavy lifting as companies fine-tune their office strategies.

Market overview (Cushman & Wakefield Q3 2025)

Inventory: 157,897,916 SF
Vacancy rate: 25%
Leasing activity: 4,486,286 SF
Absorption: 638,796 SF (YTD)
Key leases by tenant: EY (102,195 SF), Holder Construction (64,609 SF), Delta Air Lines, Inc. (55,308 SF)
Under construction: 200,000 SF
Largest submarkets: Midtown, Northwest Atlanta, Central Perimeter

Crexi Insights

Crexi provides up-to-date data on the Atlanta office market. Here are the most recent lease and sales trends (as of November 2025):

For Lease (active)

Asking rate/SqFt (median): $27 per year
Median SqFt/listing: 1,797 SF
Days on market: 236
Total listings on Crexi: 796 spaces

For Sale (active)

Median asking price: $1.3 million
Price/SqFt: $272
Asking cap rate: 4.2%
Days on market: 157
Total listings on Crexi: 122 spaces

Sales Comps (past 12 months)

Median sold price: $720,000
Sold price/SqFt: $213
Total sales volume: $235.3 million
Sold cap rate: 8.4%
Median SqFt sold/transaction: 3,390 SF
Days on market (median): 214

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The outside of the Coca Cola museum in Atlanta

Atlanta Retail Market

Atlanta’s retail market continues to be surprisingly resilient, even as national brands rethink their brick-and-mortar footprints. Demand remains steady, with lifestyle and power centers seeing renewed interest from both local businesses and major chains.

Limited new construction has kept space competitive, pushing many tenants to hold onto leases despite broader economic uncertainty. With consumer traffic staying strong in key corridors like Gwinnett and Marietta, well-located retail assets are still drawing attention.

Market overview (Cushman & Wakefield Q3 2025)

Inventory: 179,604,439 SF
Vacancy rate: 4%
Absorption: -1,049,909 SF (YTD)
Under construction: 0 SF
Key leases by tenant: Wayfair (150,000 SF), Camp Jewell House Academy (42,000 SF), Thunderzone Family Entertainment (38,574 SF)
Largest submarkets: Gwinnett, Marietta/North Cobb, Georgia 400

Crexi Insights

Atlanta retail lease and sales trends from Crexi Insights (as of November 2025):

For Lease (active)

Asking rate/SqFt (median): $30 per year
Median SqFt/listing: 2,288 SF
Days on market: 231
Total listings on Crexi: 529 spaces

For Sale (active)

Median asking price: $825,000
Price/SqFt: $269
Asking cap rate: 5.8%
Days on market: 152
Total listings on Crexi: 179 spaces

Sales Comps (past 12 months)

Median sold price: $632,500
Sold price/SqFt: $249
Total sales volume: $224.3 million
Median SqFt sold/transaction: 3,375 SF
Days on market (median): 223

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A timelapsed photo of an Atlanta highway at sundown, facing into the downtown portion of the city.

Atlanta Multifamily Market

Atlanta’s multifamily market is active, with steady renter demand balancing new construction and leasing activity. Absorption has kept pace with deliveries, and many submarkets are maintaining healthy occupancy levels despite broader economic headwinds. While rent trends have seen some short-term shifts, overall pricing remains competitive, especially in high-demand areas like Gwinnett and the Eastside. With fewer new units in the pipeline, the market may see even tighter conditions in the months ahead.

Market overview (Cushman & Wakefield Q3 2025)

Total housing units: 2,538,356
Multi-unit inventory: 507,855 units
Vacancy rate: 9.4%
Average asking rent: $1,651
Deliveries: 9,275 units (YTD)
Net absorption: 9,785 units
Under construction: 14,386 units
Notable sales activity by property: Cortland Decatur East (378 units); Skye Suwanee (233 units); Riverstone at Powers Ferry (192 units)
Top submarkets by inventory: I-85 North/Gwinnett County, Cumberland/Galleria, I-20 East