Cost of living in Atlanta, GA

Livability score 66 · cost-of-living index 100.5 (US = 100)

How Atlanta compares

Where Atlanta falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).

Map of Atlanta

Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps

Cost of living

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)	100.5	metro-area	#144 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)	98.5	metro-area	#148 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)	$5.72	metro-area	#144 of 200
Median household income	$82,625	metro-area	#48 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)	$45,128	metro-area	#42 of 200

Who lives here

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Median age	37.0 years	metro-area	#60 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)	41.4%	metro-area	#27 of 200
Foreign-born residents	14.8%	metro-area	#42 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied	65.8%	metro-area	#108 of 200

Economy

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Unemployment rate	5.04%	metro-area	#93 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)	+6.9%	metro-area	#55 of 200

Housing — what your money buys

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Median home price	$382,938	metro-area	#125 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)	4.6×	metro-area	#90 of 200
1-yr home appreciation	-2.1%	metro-area	#177 of 200
Price per square foot	$187	metro-area	#100 of 200
Typical home size (implied)	2,050 sqft
Median rent (monthly)	$1,840	metro-area	#141 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)	32,204
Median days on market	33	metro-area	#160 of 200

Taxes

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)	8.9%	state	#27 of 200
Combined sales tax	7.38%	state	#99 of 200
State income tax (top rate)	5.19%
Capital gains tax	5.39%	state	#125 of 200
High earners	No special surtax
Social Security in retirement	Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate	0.85%	metro-area	#98 of 200
Median property tax paid	$2,560	metro-area	#93 of 200

Health & childcare

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Life expectancy at birth	77.4 years	metro-area	#76 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)	$6,400	state	#32 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)	12.9%	metro-area	#165 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k	69	metro-area	#127 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)	$9,500	state	#37 of 200

Vehicles & commute

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Annual registration	$40	state	#4 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)	None	state	#1 of 200
Emissions testing	Required
Emissions detail	Required in 13 metro Atlanta counties
DMV & license offices	16
Avg commute to work	32 min	metro-area	#193 of 200
Commute by driving alone	68.3%	metro-area	#31 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min	50.0%	metro-area	#196 of 200

Utilities & fuel

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Electricity	15.4¢/kWh	state	#41 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill	$138	state	#41 of 200
Gasoline	$3.15/gal	state	#57 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)	$74	state	#133 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)	$123	state	#138 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)	$88	state	#190 of 200

Insurance

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Home insurance (annual)	$2,100	state	#124 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)	$1,900	state	#86 of 200

Disaster risk & supplemental insurance

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Main natural hazards	Notable hazards: hurricanes, tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)	83.5 — Relatively Moderate	metro-area	#52 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)	$700	state	#61 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)	$100	state	#1 of 200

Climate & air quality

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)	56	metro-area	#181 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)	1,800	metro-area	#134 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)	95%	state	#27 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)	2,800	metro-area	#76 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F	39	metro-area	#117 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F	0	metro-area	#5 of 200
Avg summer high (state)	89°F	metro-area	#113 of 200
Avg winter low	34°F	metro-area	#76 of 200
Annual precipitation	50.4"	metro-area	#158 of 200
Annual snowfall	2.2"	metro-area	#72 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)	60%	metro-area	#85 of 200
Plant hardiness zone	8a
Frost window	03-10 → 11-20

Safety

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)	370	state	#65 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)	2,000	state	#83 of 200

Local amenities & recreation

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Grocery stores	62	metro-area	#104 of 200
Parks	72
Hiking areas	40
Golf courses	31
Shooting ranges	13
Lakes	1

Permits

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)	2	state	#1 of 200
Permit detail	Generally easy

US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.

Top employers in Atlanta

Major public and private employers in the Atlanta, GA area.

Employer	Sector	Jobs
Delta Air Lines	transportation	Careers →
Coca-Cola	beverage	Careers →
Home Depot	Retail	Careers →
UPS	logistics	Careers →
AT&T	telecom	Careers →
Centers for Disease Control	Government	Careers →

Salaries by occupation in Atlanta

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

Occupation	Median pay
Financial Managers	$166,100
Marketing Managers	$161,870
Human Resources Managers	$136,760
Lawyers	$136,270
Pharmacists	$134,790
Software Developers	$129,700
Physician Assistants	$115,500
General & Operations Managers	$104,710
Data Scientists	$104,640
Construction Managers	$101,830
Physical Therapists	$99,910
Web Developers	$94,330
Dental Hygienists	$92,710
Registered Nurses	$92,240
Mechanical Engineers	$82,900
Accountants & Auditors	$81,220
Civil Engineers	$80,110
Elementary School Teachers	$76,980
Graphic Designers	$61,500
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters	$60,100
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers	$59,840
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	$57,230
Electricians	$56,350
Real Estate Sales Agents	$50,020
Carpenters	$49,380
Welders, Cutters & Solderers	$47,020
Medical Assistants	$39,720