Torn between Alpharetta, Milton, and Johns Creek? You are not alone. Each North Fulton suburb offers a distinct lifestyle, commute experience, and housing mix, so the right answer depends on what you value most. In this guide, you will compare schools, home prices and styles, lot sizes, commute routes, and amenities to decide with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Quick take: three clear personalities
- Alpharetta: amenity rich with regional retail and entertainment near walkable hubs like Avalon. You will find condos and townhomes near downtown plus many single-family neighborhoods. Market medians sat in the low to mid $700Ks as of January 2026.
- Milton: rural feel with large lots, equestrian culture, and many estate properties. Typical values trend higher due to acreage, with medians around the $900Ks as of late 2025–January 2026.
- Johns Creek: park forward with many HOA neighborhoods and several private-club communities. Median sales have commonly ranged from the high $600Ks to $800Ks depending on neighborhood as of mid 2025–January 2026.
Housing styles and price bands
Buying in North Fulton often comes down to your preferred home style and neighborhood setting. Here is how the three compare.
Alpharetta homes and pricing
You will see a broad mix: newer condos and townhomes near downtown and Avalon, classic 1990s subdivisions, and higher-end pockets around Windward and Crabapple. As of January 2026, typical sales hovered around the low to mid $700Ks. General price bands often look like this:
- Starter townhome/condo: about $350K to $550K
- Move-up single-family: about $600K to $1.1M
- Luxury and estates: above $1.1M
These ranges vary by neighborhood age, renovation level, and proximity to shopping and corporate corridors.
Milton homes and pricing
Milton’s draw is space and privacy. Expect custom builds, modern farmhouses, and equestrian-ready properties on 1 acre or more in many areas. The median value trends higher due to lot size and estate stock, commonly around or above the $900Ks as of late 2025–January 2026. Typical ranges:
- Limited starter options, often attached: about $500K to $700K
- Move-up and estate: about $800K to $2M+
- Large acreage estates: above $2M
Johns Creek homes and pricing
Johns Creek features established subdivisions, many with swim and tennis, plus luxury pockets near private clubs such as Country Club of the South. As of mid 2025–January 2026, median sales often landed in the mid to high $700Ks depending on the neighborhood. Common ranges:
- Starter to mid-range: about $500K to $700K
- Move-up: about $700K to $1.2M
- Premium and private-club areas: above $1M
Lot sizes and zoning
Milton’s rural character
Milton intentionally protects its large-lot feel. The city notes that a significant share of land is agriculturally zoned, and many residential parcels require at least 1 acre. This supports equestrian uses and preserves a countryside setting within commuting distance of Atlanta. Learn more about the city’s land-use identity on the City of Milton overview.
Alpharetta’s mix of lots
Closer to downtown and mixed-use districts, lots tend to be smaller for townhomes and condos. Many single-family neighborhoods sit on roughly quarter- to half-acre lots, with select higher-end pockets offering larger parcels. The variety lets you balance yard size with proximity to shops and dining.
Johns Creek subdivision living
Most neighborhoods are suburban single-family with HOA amenities. Typical lots often range from about 0.2 to 0.75 acres in planned communities, with larger parcels near the river and private-club areas. You will find a consistent streetscape and organized amenities in many subdivisions.
Commute and transportation
Average one-way commute times from recent ACS estimates run about 26.3 minutes in Alpharetta, 28 minutes in Milton, and 30.1 minutes in Johns Creek. These are broad city averages that vary by exact address and time of day. You can explore methodology on the Census Reporter profile for Alpharetta.
- Main routes: Alpharetta and Milton feed into GA 400, the key artery to Perimeter, Buckhead, Midtown, and Downtown. Review the corridor’s overview on Georgia State Route 400. Johns Creek’s north–south spine is GA 141, with connections to GA 400 and I-285 via east–west arterials.
- Transit: There is no direct rail in these suburbs. Limited commuter bus options exist in the wider region, but most residents drive. For regional context, see this short guide to getting around greater Atlanta.
How to test your commute:
- Run a live map check from the home to your office during your actual peak hours, both AM and PM.
- Test two or three routes, including back-road alternatives.
- If you travel often, check drive time to Hartsfield–Jackson at different times of day.
Schools: how to evaluate fit
All three cities are served by Fulton County Schools. Many North Fulton high schools post high graduation rates, and the district has shared strong performance signals in recent years. Review district context on the Fulton County Schools directory and this note on district graduation rates.
Practical steps for your search:
- Verify attendance zones by address using the district’s student assignment tools and current maps on the Fulton County Schools planning page.
- If you are considering charter or private options, note that several operate in and around North Fulton. Check each school’s website for admissions, calendars, and transportation.
- Tour campuses and speak with administrators to understand programs, schedules, and extracurriculars that matter to your family.
Amenities and everyday lifestyle
Alpharetta highlights
Alpharetta is known for walkable dining, shopping, and events centered around Avalon. You also have Halcyon just up GA 400, the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre for concerts, and miles of greenway for biking and strolls. If you like errands and entertainment close by, Alpharetta delivers.
Milton’s open space and equestrian roots
If you want privacy and a countryside feel, Milton offers scenic drives, equestrian trails, and local farms and vineyards. Retail is a short drive away in Alpharetta or along GA 400, but the trade-off is quiet streets and room to spread out. Get a feel for the city’s identity on the City of Milton overview.
Johns Creek parks and clubs
Johns Creek shines with parks like Newtown Park, Autrey Mill Nature Preserve, and many neighborhoods with community pools and courts. Golf and club amenities are available in several private communities. If youth sports, trails, and neighborhood recreation are priorities, you will find many options here.
Which suburb fits you best?
Use these quick profiles to match your priorities.
Convenience and walkable amenities
Pick Alpharetta if you value restaurants, shopping, and short errand runs. You are close to major corporate corridors and entertainment. Trade-off: walkable pockets can command a premium, and GA 400 traffic still shapes commute times.
Big yard and rural feel
Choose Milton if you want acreage, privacy, and room for horses or a hobby farm. Trade-off: expect longer drives to many shops and restaurants, and a higher typical price point because of larger lots and estate properties.
Parks, recreation, and organized amenities
Aim for Johns Creek if you want established HOA neighborhoods, parks, and access to club amenities. Trade-off: you may pay more for neighborhood amenities and convenience to club areas, and GA 141 sees regular peak congestion.
Next steps for any choice:
- Set a clear budget ceiling before touring.
- Test commute times from specific addresses during your peak hours.
- Confirm school attendance zones by address with Fulton County Schools.
Your next step
If you want calm, expert guidance tailored to your lifestyle, reach out to schedule a consult. Our boutique team specializes in North Fulton moves, corporate relocations, and neighborhood-level advice that shortens your search. We will help you compare micro-areas, preview targeted listings, and navigate timing, staging, and negotiation with confidence. Connect with Rhonda Shell to get started.
FAQs
What are the typical home price medians for Alpharetta, Milton, and Johns Creek in early 2026?
- As of January 2026, Alpharetta often sits in the low to mid $700Ks, Milton trends around the $900Ks due to larger lots, and Johns Creek commonly ranges from the high $600Ks to $800Ks, with neighborhood variation.
What should I know about Milton’s zoning and lot sizes before I buy?
- Many Milton parcels require at least 1 acre in agriculturally influenced zones, which supports equestrian uses and preserves a rural feel; see the city’s overview on land use for context.
How long are rush-hour commutes from each suburb to Buckhead or the Perimeter?
- Commute times vary by exact address and departure, but plan for GA 400 as the main route from Alpharetta and Milton, and GA 141 from Johns Creek; run live map tests at your actual peak hours.
How do I confirm which public schools serve a specific North Fulton address?
- Use the Fulton County Schools student assignment and planning tools to verify current attendance zones and any redistricting that may affect your address.
Which suburb offers the most walkable dining and entertainment options?
- Alpharetta, especially near Avalon and downtown, offers the most concentrated walkable dining, shopping, and event options, with Halcyon a short drive away.
