From the Beltline to the Grocery Budget: What It Really Costs to Live in Atlanta

Hi there y'all. I am Brandie Parton, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for Atlanta. Today we will look at this city that I love in terms of its cost of living aspect. If you are like me, you are paying more attention to your budget now than perhaps in previous years, making the cost of living of a city that much more important. I will cover some key areas about the “Atl,” including housing costs, what to expect as far as utilities, transportation, groceries, and general daily living aspects as well.

Overall Cost of Living Look at Atlanta

When compared to the national average, my beloved Atlanta, which is rich with culture, history, and entertainment options, sits between 4% and 6% lower than other cities. The monthly budget you can expect to need as a single person is between $2,500 and $3,200, which includes rent. A family of four can expect to spend around $5,800, and the average median income for the city is a little under $90k. Overall, the cost of living is considered moderately affordable, which, considering all the career opportunities and growth the area offers is pretty good, making it one of the more affordable big-city options in the entire country.

Housing: Type and Neighborhoods

The city of Atlanta boasts lower housing costs when compared to other cities nationally. It actually is around 13% lower than the U.S. average. Whether you buy or rent, your housing decision will play a significant role in your cost of living within the city. Condo, apartment and townhome costs have come down slightly, while single-family home prices have held serve. The most popular option within the city remains single-family detached homes, which make up between 40% and 44% of housing. Midtown Atlanta is replete with condominium complexes and large apartment buildings, offering options of 50 or more units, which is the next most popular housing option.

Due to the historic nature of Atlanta, another popular housing option is the historic or specialty style intown neighborhoods. These feature converted industrial lofts, Victorian-era cottages and Craftsman bungalows. Townhomes are the other option that serves to bridge the gap between traditional suburban homes and high-rise urban-living options. In terms of costs, East Atlanta, Virginia-Highland, Candler Park, Downtown Atlanta, Grant Park and Perimeter Center are some of the most affordable neighborhoods in terms of housing.

Keep in mind, when choosing the type of housing you want, you should consider more than just the cost of rent or mortgage payment each month. It’s also important to evaluate the transportation options that go along with it, meaning what you can walk to and explore and what free recreational options might be available. Location, location, location! In other words, as any Atlantian worth their salt will tell you, saving money on rent but then having to drive in rush hour traffic each and every day for hours might offset any savings you enjoy, replacing it with the increased wear and tear of your car or cost of filling your gas tank. That’s to say nothing of the headache associated with this arduous experience. Instead, living right in town within walking distance or at least close to other transportation options (which I will outline more later) can make paying a bit more rent well worth it and even save you money and your sanity in the long-run.

Utilities in the Atlanta Area, What Will it Cost?

While the housing cost in Atlanta is below the national average, in terms of utility costs, this is one area that Atlanta does demand a bit more. The cost of utilities is between 1.6% and 2% higher than the national average. This expense for a standard apartment will run between $150 and $200 a month. Of course, larger spaces like single-family homes will be more expensive than this. Georgia Power, which is the primary power company in and around the city, costs, on average, around 14-16 cents per kWh. Other utility costs you can expect to pay in Atlanta include natural gas, internet, water, and sewer.

Generally, if you are looking to reduce your costs in terms of utilities and still make Atlanta your home, renting can be your most advantageous choice. The smaller square footage of apartments and shared walls equal a lower bill when it comes to heating and cooling your space. When you compare the average cost of basic utilities for renters and those of single-family homeowners, there is a significant savings. As a renter, you can also save even more on your utility costs by adjusting your thermostat, keeping it lower in the winter and higher in the summer, using cold water to wash clothes, and reporting leaks immediately to prevent wasted water.

The Cost of Getting Around Atlanta: Transportation

Another key aspect of the cost of living in Atlanta is transportation costs. Of course, getting to and fro, unless you use your legs or a bike you own, does come with some expense. Of course, to be fair, even your feet and a bike come with some expense in terms of the cost of shoes and bike maintenance. At any rate, there is a cost to consider. In reality, on a day in and day out basis, many of us in Atlanta own a car and commute to work or to restaurants or entertainment. Consequently, transportation costs average between 2% and 4% higher than the national average, due in large part to the cost of car ownership and commuting related expenses.

If you have ever been in the city around rush hour you will know the commute is a killer. The average daily commute via vehicle can sometimes vary between 40 minutes to an hour and the average person spends around $6,700 on vehicle expenses, including insurance, fuel, and vehicle maintenance as a result of the long commute. You can reduce your costs of transportation by utilizing public transportation. In Atlanta, this option is MARTA, “Take Marta its Smarta”. You can get a single-trip ticket, a breeze ticket, 30-day pass, or a short-term pass. Obviously, you save more money when getting long-term passes.

I have learned through exploring the city that you can actually save money even if you live far enough outside the city to necessitate owning a vehicle. You can save money by driving to a MARTA rail station and parking there for free and then taking a train for the rest of your trip to your destination. This saves you having to pay for parking your car in the city and reduces the amount of fuel you use on your vehicle. The Atlanta Streetcar is another downtown location transportation option for popular downtown areas like Peachtree Center and Centennial Olympic Park.

To save even more on transportation costs, check with your employer as there are some employers who participate in MARTA Partnership Programs, which can save you up to 20% off your transit passes. Students attending college in the city might qualify for discounts as well. Also, if you live in the same area as someone else you work with, you can carpool, which can save you both on transportation costs. Check out Georgia Commute Options as this is a way you can earn prizes and rewards when you walk, bike, vanpool, transit, or carpool throughout the city.

Groceries & Eating Out: Feeding Your Family in Atlanta

It seems like stepping foot inside your favorite grocery store is costing more and more every day. In terms of costs of living, groceries are most certainly a significant expense. Of course, what can be done about it? Like I have told my husband time and time again, “if we could figure out a way to not need to eat, we would have so much more money.” Alas, though, we do have to buy groceries and I have experience doing so in and around Atlanta. Overall, the city is slightly more expensive than other areas, costing 1% more than most cities in the nation. If you are like the typical household, you can expect to spend anywhere from $300 to $500 on groceries each month and this includes the most costly items of coffee, eggs, and bread.

If you are like me, though, your food budget will also include more than a few deliveries and dining out. It’s almost unfair how many great restaurants that this city is home to, making this a tempting option, especially when I just don’t want to cook. On average, this is a much more costly portion of a budget, averaging $1,100 per individual being spent on dining out and food delivery on a monthly basis within the city. To save money, cook at home, check for grocery deals and look for weekday lunch deals, or happy hours at your favorite dining establishment.

Another of my favorite ways to decrease the food portion of the cost of living is to take advantage of the Atlanta State Farmers Market in Forest Park, Freedom Farmers Market at Carter Center, or travel a bit further to Your DeKalb Farmers Market in Decatur. These farmer’s markets offer wholesale pricing on fresh produce and all kinds of additional goodies. This can help supplement your grocery budget and maybe even keep you from spending as much on eating out.

To get the most out of your farmer’s market experience, set a plan beforehand and make sure you do your research. Not all markets accept credit cards, so check prior to visiting if you need to take cash. Also, if you want to buy in bulk at these markets, consider sharing with other families and splitting the cost or preserving produce for off-season use. Some community markets participate in a program called Georgia Fresh for Less Program, which matches state SNAP/EBT dollars, dollar-for-dollar on vegetables and fruits. We don’t qualify for this, my husband and I, but my grown son and his family, including his two kids, my precious grandbabies, could take advantage of this beneficial program.

Daily Living: What it Takes to Make a Life in Atlanta

Okay, I have to admit, due to my personal preferences, I am a bit biased. I love Atlanta and think that daily living here is just the best, even with the traffic headache that we all deal with on a regular basis. This city combines opportunities brought forth by our economic hub with a vibrant cultural and entertainment aspect to offer a unique way of life that appeals to a wide variety of life stations, from early adulthood all the way up into retirement and everything in between.

Overall, the city boasts a rich and diverse food scene along with local arts and outdoor recreational areas that make spending a weekend and a life here super fun. The entire city has an expansive tree canopy, which is simply beautiful and goes with the city’s historically significant reputation. The local economy is built on both the healthcare and technology sectors with many large businesses calling it home. It continues to offer career options as well as ample recreational and cultural benefits for those who call it home. Of course, it’s fun to just visit as well, but when making it home, you will want to know what it takes cost wise to get by on a daily basis.

Daily living costs between $80 and $105 for a single adult, which includes transportation, daily expenses, housing and more. Obviously, where in the city you choose to live and if you opt to buy or rent, along with other lifestyle choices, will greatly alter the amount of money you have to spend on a daily basis within the city.

To sum up, this city has a bit of everything, and I personally love all the free or low cost things you can do that make the cost of living that much more manageable when calling Atlanta home. Some of my favorites include the Atlanta Beltline, which is an assortment of 22 miles of trail loops around the city. I love walking these trails and enjoying the outdoors, but you can also ride your bike. If you are like me, and you love history and are a bit macabre by nature, you will love the historic Oakland Cemetery where you can explore beautiful gardens, and the resting place of more than 70,000 individuals, including some historically significant individuals. Within and around the city, there are also so many festivals, community events, and markets to explore that it makes living here an adventure each and every day.