How Much Does It Cost to Live In Atlanta, GA?
If you are wondering if Georgia‘s capital city is an ideal destination for relocation, you should know that Atlanta is a not-so-huge city that boasts the hustle of a big one.
Being that in a not so large area lives half a million people, you might think that this is not the right destination for you but when you take a look at all its beauties, you will be attracted by its charm.
United States : Cost of Living by City
- Albany, NY
- Albuquerque, NM
- Anchorage, AK
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Arlington, TX
- Asheville, NC
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Bakersfield, CA
- Baltimore, MD
- Bellevue, WA
- Bellingham, WA
- Berkeley, CA
- Birmingham, AL
- Boise, ID
- Boston, MA
- Boulder, CO
- Brooklyn, NY
- Buffalo, NY
- Burlington, VT
- Charleston, SC
- Charlotte, NC
- Chattanooga, TN
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbia, SC
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Dayton, OH
- Denver, CO
- Des Moines, IA
- Detroit, MI
- El Paso, TX
- Eugene, OR
- Everett, WA
- Fayetteville, AR
- Fort Myers, FL
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Fort Worth, TX
- Fresno, CA
- Gainesville, FL
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Greensboro, NC
- Hartford, CT
- Honolulu, HI
- Houston, TX
- Huntsville, AL
- Indianapolis, IN
- Irvine, CA
- Jacksonville, FL
- Jersey City, NJ
- Kansas City, MO
- Knoxville, TN
- Las Vegas, NV
- Lexington, KY
- Little Rock, AR
- Long Beach, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Louisville, KY
- Lubbock, TX
- Madison, WI
- Memphis, TN
- Miami, FL
- Milwaukee, WI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Nashville, TN
- New Orleans, LA
- New York, NY
- Oakland, CA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Olympia, WA
- Orlando, FL
- Peoria, IL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Portland, ME
- Portland, OR
- Raleigh, NC
- Reno, NV
- Richmond, VA
- Rochester, NY
- Sacramento, CA
- Saint Louis, MO
- Saint Paul, MN
- Saint Petersburg, FL
- Salem, OR
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Spokane, WA
- Springfield, MO
- Syracuse, NY
- Tacoma, WA
- Tallahassee, FL
- Tampa, FL
- Toledo, OH
- Tucson, AZ
- Tulsa, OK
- Vancouver, WA
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Washington, DC
- West Palm Beach, FL
- Wichita, KS
RESTAURANTS
Thinking about the cost of living in Atlanta, you would definitely want to know the restaurant prices, even if you are not a frequent restaurant-goer.
The prices are not as high as they are in some other cities and they are based on the average monthly salary which is higher here.
MARKETS
Besides the thriving restaurant scene in Atlanta, the majority of its residents tend to prepare their food at home, thus saving a lot on this already expensive category.
The prices of food are on the national average, and they take around 30% of the monthly salary.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation here includes a lot of traffic jams and time spent on the road.
That is why it is suggested not to drive, but to save both time and money on commuting by taking the public transport system
This is a particularly good solution for those living away from their working places.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
The basic package of utilities which includes water, power, heating, and garbage cost around the average for the country.
Nevertheless, the bills might rise during winter months due to the heating.
If you want to add the Internet, you should expect to pay an additional $70.
SPORTS & LEISURE
After you have tasted the delicacies available in Atlanta’s restaurants, you may decide to spend calories in a gym.
The membership is cost-effective as you can expect to pay $45 a month.
You can also choose outdoor activities if the weather allows them.
CLOTHING & SHOES
When you deliberate well on your budget situation and your goals, you can decide whether there is enough money left for non-essentials, such as shoes and clothing.
The residents of Atlanta do not spend even 2% of their monthly salary on this category, and you, as a newcomer, should follow them.
RENT PER MONTH
Homes are relatively expensive and buying one might cause you trouble, especially if you live on a budget, so the majority of newcomers decide to rent.
Rents are also expensive, and the greater the family is, the larger apartment is needed which results in higher housing expenses.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Atlanta, GA
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $15 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $6.00 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.83 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $0.96 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $3.14 |
| Eggs (12) | $4.62 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $2.50 |
| Monthly Pass | $95.00 |
| Gasoline | $0.88 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $197.03 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.11 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $70.77 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $44.8 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $24.49 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $15 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $54.83 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $39.78 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $79.79 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $1962.9 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $1511.7 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $3605.50 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Atlanta, GA?
Being that newcomers cannot expect to buy a home right once they come to Atlanta, renting would be the ideal solution.
Depending on the size and location, you can expect to pay quite high rent in Atlanta, which is constantly increasing.
It will take you more than 35% of your monthly income, and when the cost of food is added, you should know that everything below the average monthly salary can be considered insufficient.
The least important expenses among Atlanta’s residents are entertainment and clothing.
Average Costs Breakdown
Atlanta, GA: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
If you are preparing to move to Atlanta, you should get familiar with all the available data related to the cost of living and possible salaries for your profession, as this can be very helpful to know how to adjust and change your lifestyle if necessary.
Relocation can be struggling if you do not organize your expenses in advance and that is why it is suggested to plan your budget accordingly.
The average salary is more than $3500 higher than the minimum one, and this has to be on your mind when negotiating your future income.
Atlanta Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Atlanta Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
