Atlanta Homeowners Are Investing Heavily in Curb Appeal, New Data Shows
Atlanta Home Network · Published July 2026
Metro Atlanta homeowners are investing in exterior home projects at one of the highest rates in the country. Atlanta ranked third among US cities on the 2026 Curb Appeal Report published this summer by home services marketplace Thumbtack, trailing only Washington, D.C. and Charlotte, N.C. and landing ahead of Austin, Dallas, Baltimore, and Seattle.
The ranking reflects real spending, not opinion. It is based on requests for exterior projects on the Thumbtack platform between January 1 and April 30, 2026, combined with a survey of more than 1,000 US homeowners.
Atlanta ranked #3 among US cities investing in exterior home projects. Only Washington, D.C. and Charlotte, N.C. finished higher.
The full top 10
Cities investing most heavily in curb appeal, per Thumbtack's 2026 report:
- Washington, D.C.
- Charlotte, N.C.
- Atlanta, Ga.
- Austin, Texas
- Baltimore, Md.
- Dallas, Texas
- Orlando, Fla.
- Seattle, Wash.
- Raleigh, N.C.
- Tampa, Fla.
Five of the top 10 sit in the Southeast, a pattern Thumbtack noted reflects longer outdoor-project seasons in warmer climates.
The 10 most requested exterior projects, with national average costs
Thumbtack also reported the top 10 exterior projects requested by homeowners nationally in the first four months of 2026, with average national costs:
| Project | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing and trimming | $140 |
| Full-service lawn care | $334 |
| Fence and gate installation | $4,509 |
| Outdoor landscaping and design | $3,327 |
| Tree trimming and removal | $1,123 |
| Roof repair or maintenance | $2,398 |
| Pressure washing | $371 |
| Sprinkler and irrigation system repair and maintenance | $435 |
| Roof installation or replacement | $9,411 |
| Pest control services | $300 |
Landscaping and lawn care topped the list. Full roof replacement was the highest-cost project at $9,411 nationally.
The trend behind the numbers
Thumbtack's report framed 2026 as "the year of self-expression," arguing that homeowners are increasingly treating exterior spaces as reflections of personal style rather than resale strategy. Nearly two-thirds of surveyed homeowners said they were updating plants, flowers, or greenery this season. About one in three said they were refreshing "first impression" elements like front doors, entryways, or outdoor lighting.
The report authors described a shift away from perfection toward outdoor spaces that feel "personal, restorative, and reflective of how homeowners actually live."
What this means for Atlanta real estate
For metro Atlanta homebuyers, sellers, and homeowners, the ranking touches the local housing market in a few concrete ways.
Curb appeal drives listing performance. Real estate research has consistently shown that exterior condition affects both the number of showings a home receives and the final sale price. Atlanta's high project volume suggests sellers in the region are already investing at scale, which raises the baseline expectation for what a competitive listing looks like on the market.
Home services demand is strong. With Atlanta ranking third nationally in exterior project requests, local contractors in landscaping, roofing, fencing, tree services, and pressure washing are operating in a high-demand environment. That has implications for booking lead times and pricing, particularly heading into fall storm season and Atlanta's peak spring listing months.
The cost data is a planning tool. For homeowners planning to prepare a home for sale in 2026 or 2027, the Thumbtack average costs offer a reasonable baseline for budgeting. Local costs in metro Atlanta will vary by neighborhood, contractor tier, and project scope, but the national averages provide a starting point.
Sources
Report data and methodology from Thumbtack's Curb Appeal Report (fourth annual, published June 2026, authored by Kendra Sinclair). Top 10 city list and project cost data as reproduced by Martha Stewart Living via Yahoo Shopping (July 2, 2026, reporting by Michele Laufik).
Thumbtack's ranking reflects requests for exterior projects on the Thumbtack platform between January 1 and April 30, 2026, combined with survey responses from more than 1,000 US homeowners.
Atlanta Home Network publishes housing market reports for metro Atlanta counties and cities. Have a tip or correction? Email editor@atlantahomenetwork.com.