If you’re thinking of moving to Atlanta, GA one of the most important things to consider is the overall cost of living in the city. To help you out, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on what you can expect to pay as a local resident.

1. Rent Prices in Atlanta – Between $500-$2000+

As of Zumper’s latest National Rent Report, Atlanta was tied with Philadelphia as the 17th most expensive rental market in the country, with a median one-bedroom rent of $1,350 and a median two-bedroom of $1,700. Not to worry if these numbers sound high; we’re quoting median values across the city, meaning that half of all available rental inventory is below this amount. You can also find a relative bargain depending on what neighborhood you’re searching in – more to come on that later.

If you abide by the 30% rule, meaning that you shouldn’t spend more than 30% of your gross monthly salary on rent, this means that you should be making $4,500 per month before taxes ($54,000 annually) to afford a one bedroom by yourself, and $5,667 per month ($68,000 combined annually) for a two bedroom. Again, these are minimum salaries given the rule, so you’d likely want to have a higher income for savings. We would encourage you to budget according to your exact living situation.

Roommates are always a great option to help save on rent. Depending on the number of roommates you have, you’ll likely be able to save 50-60% on these rates.

Average rent prices by Atlanta neighborhood

Though Rent Prices overall may seem expensive, don’t let these stats deter you. Every neighborhood is different, and prices can vary dramatically depending on where you’d like to live. But it is worth saying that you may need to compromise on space and/or amenities to stay in your perfect neighborhood.

The rent map below should give you an idea of how much rent of a 1-bedroom apartment will cost you across different Atlanta neighborhoods. As you can see, there’s a pretty big difference in prices depending on where you’re searching – anywhere from $1,725 in Peachtree Heights West to around $600 in the area surrounding Hunter Hills.

2. Utilities in Atlanta – $130 per month

According to Expatisan.com data, a single person can expect to pay $130-$140 per month for utilities, including heat, electricity, and gas. Also expect to pay between $45-$50 per month for internet, depending on the speed. The cost of natural gas is 17% below the national average, while electricity is 25% above the national average. It’s important to note that these stats refer to one person occupying a studio apartment, so having a spouse or roommates can mean cheaper rates per person.

3. Food – $350-$500 per month

Atlanta food prices are slightly higher than the national average, despite rent prices actually being affordable for a city . Expect to pay $14 per person for a casual meal, and upwards of $50 for a nicer meal for two (not including drinks). For groceries, Numbeo quotes a minimum cost per person of $334 per month. We should note that this assumes basic necessities and not organic groceries or high end ingredients, for instance.

4. Transportation – Varies depending on option

Having a car in the city

Do you actually need to own a car in Atlanta? The answer is: it depends. For some residential neighborhoods, having a car is a necessity, while in others walking or taking public transport is perfectly doable. Ultimately, you should first look where you’re looking to live – if things all seem far away from each other, better think about getting a car.

Public transport in Atlanta
Atlanta’s public transit system, named MARTA for short (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority), operates a network of bus routes linked to a light rail system. MARTA’s rail system provides a solid amount of coverage, however buses may be required in certain areas (like Emory and Cumberland). Prices range from $2.50 for a single ride to $95 for a monthly pass. Full pricing can be found on the MARTA site: https://martaguide.com/fares/

Ride-sharing and Car-sharing

If you’re looking to move without a car, but still want the convenience of a vehicle from time to time, ride-sharing and car-sharing are great options. The two main players in the ride-sharing space are Uber and Lyft, while car-sharing options in Atlanta include Zipcar, Maven, and Enterprise Car Share, all of which offer the ability to rent cars on-demand by the hour or day. Prices for these services vary depending on distance and duration, but can potentially be much more affordable than car ownership. It’s important to calculate your expected usage to compare costs for each option.