How High Is Atlanta Above Sea Level? Elevation Facts Every Local Should Know

Atlanta isn’t just the capital of Georgia—it’s also one of the highest major cities in the eastern United States. If you’ve ever wondered “How many feet above sea level is Atlanta?”, the answer shapes everything from our weather to our outdoor recreation.

Atlanta’s Elevation in Feet Above Sea Level

Most of the City of Atlanta sits at an elevation of about 1,000 feet above sea level.

More precisely:

• Downtown Atlanta: around 1,050–1,100 feet
• Midtown: roughly 1,000–1,100 feet
• Buckhead: often 1,000–1,200 feet
• Lower areas near some creeks and river valleys can dip below 900 feet
• Higher ridges and hills around the metro area can rise above 1,200 feet

So when people ask how many feet above sea level Atlanta is, a good general answer is:

This is high enough to give Atlanta a slightly different feel from many other southeastern cities, but not high enough to be considered “high altitude.”

Quick Elevation Snapshot for Atlanta

All numbers are approximate and can vary block by block.

Why Is Atlanta’s Elevation Higher Than Many Other Southern Cities?

Atlanta is often called the “City in a Forest,” but it also sits on a ridge system on the Piedmont Plateau, just south of the Appalachian foothills.

This setting means:

• The land is rolling and hilly, not flat like coastal Georgia.
• Elevation drops toward the coasts (Savannah, Brunswick) and toward the major river valleys.
• Many Atlanta neighborhoods are built on long, gentle ridges, which is why some streets feel like steady climbs or descents.

If you drive from the Georgia coast up to Atlanta, you gain several hundred feet in elevation. If you keep going north from Atlanta into North Georgia and the Blue Ridge Mountains, the elevation rises quickly into the 2,000–4,000+ foot range.

How Atlanta’s Elevation Affects Weather and Climate

Atlanta’s elevation of around 1,000 feet plays a noticeable role in local weather.

Slightly Cooler Than Coastal Areas

Compared to lower-elevation cities in the Deep South:

• Atlanta often runs a bit cooler, especially at night.
• Cold fronts can feel more noticeable as cooler, drier air moves over the higher terrain.
• Winter temperatures can dip low enough that ice and snow are occasional possibilities, even though they’re still relatively rare.

Storms and Rain

Elevation also shapes:

• Rainfall patterns as moist air moves over hills and ridges.
• Fog formation in low-lying areas and creek valleys.
• The way cold air pools overnight in some neighborhoods located in small valleys.

You’ll sometimes notice that heavier storms or fog patches seem more common in certain corridors, especially near river valleys west and north of the city.

Atlanta’s Elevation and Outdoor Activities

For people who love being outside, Atlanta’s elevation and terrain create distinct outdoor experiences.

Hiking and Urban Trails in the City

Within the city, you’re mostly playing within the 800–1,200 foot range. That means:

• Rolling hills rather than steep mountain climbs
• Great mixed-use trails and paths like:
  • Atlanta BeltLine (various elevations near 1,000 ft)
  • Piedmont Park in Midtown
  • Freedom Park Trail linking several intown neighborhoods

These are comfortable options if you want exercise and scenery without dramatic altitude changes.

Nearby Higher-Elevation Escapes

If you want higher elevations than Atlanta itself:

• Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (northwest of Atlanta) rises to about 1,800 feet, offering broad views of the Atlanta skyline on clear days.
• Stone Mountain Park (east of the city) tops out a little over 1,600 feet, giving a dramatic view out across the metro area.
• Drive farther north to places like Amicalola Falls State Park, Brasstown Bald, or Blue Ridge and you’ll reach 2,000–4,000+ feet above sea level.

For Atlanta residents, this makes it easy to go from a 1,000-foot city base to mountain-level hikes in around 1–2 hours of driving.

Does Atlanta’s Elevation Affect Breathing or Health?

Atlanta’s elevation around 1,000 feet is generally not high enough to cause the kinds of breathing or adjustment issues people sometimes feel at much higher elevations (like 5,000–10,000+ feet).

For most visitors and residents:

• There is no noticeable altitude sickness associated with Atlanta’s elevation.
• Daily activities, running, or walking are more influenced by heat, humidity, and fitness level than by elevation.

If you have any health concerns related to altitude or exertion, it’s best to speak with a qualified health professional, but Atlanta’s height above sea level is similar to many other moderate-elevation U.S. cities and is not typically considered a high-altitude environment.

How Elevation Varies Across the Atlanta Metro Area

Even though the city averages about 1,000 feet, you’ll see local differences as you move around.

Higher and Lower Spots Around Atlanta

• Higher: Parts of North Atlanta, Buckhead, and some areas in Cobb, North Fulton, and Gwinnett sit on higher ridges often above 1,100–1,200 feet.
• Lower: Areas closer to the Chattahoochee River and some southside neighborhoods can dip into the 700–900 foot range.

This variation is why you might:

• Drive down a long hill heading toward the river.
• Notice a view of Atlanta’s skyline from a higher neighborhood or park.
• Experience slightly different temperatures or frost patterns in low spots vs. ridge tops.

Why Atlanta’s Elevation Matters for Residents and Visitors

Knowing that Atlanta is about 1,000 feet above sea level is more than a trivia fact. It can matter for:

1. Planning Outdoor Activities

• Summer heat can still be intense, but elevation helps it feel a bit less tropical than sea-level Gulf or Atlantic cities.
• Cooler nights and breezes are more common in higher neighborhoods and parks.

2. Driving and Cycling

• Expect rolling hills through much of the city.
• Cyclists often plan routes with elevation gain in mind, especially in hilly areas of North Atlanta, Decatur, and parts of Cobb County.
• Steep streets in some intown neighborhoods can be challenging for biking or walking, especially in hot weather.

3. Homeowners and Builders

• Elevation and slope affect drainage, runoff, and erosion.
• Houses on hillsides often need specific grading and water management to keep basements and yards from collecting water.
• Neighborhoods closer to creek or river floodplains tend to sit at lower elevations and may have different drainage considerations than homes on ridges.

Checking the Exact Elevation of a Spot in Atlanta

If you want to know how many feet above sea level a specific address or location is in Atlanta, you have a few options:

• 🧭 Online maps and elevation tools: Many mapping services allow you to click a point and see an approximate elevation reading in feet.
• 📐 GPS devices and some smartphones: Certain GPS units and apps show current elevation in real time, though accuracy can vary.
• 🗺️ Topographic maps: These maps use contour lines to show elevation and can be useful if you’re planning hikes or outdoor projects.

For specialized needs (like engineering, surveying, or construction), licensed surveyors and civil engineers in the Atlanta area can provide precise elevation measurements for specific properties.

Atlanta’s Elevation Compared to a Few Familiar Places

To put Atlanta’s elevation into context:

• Atlanta: ~1,000 feet above sea level
• Savannah, GA: generally under 50 feet above sea level
• Birmingham, AL: roughly 600–700 feet
• Asheville, NC: roughly 2,000+ feet
• Denver, CO: about 5,280 feet

Atlanta sits comfortably in the middle—higher than many southeastern cities, but far lower than true high-altitude cities.

In everyday terms, Atlanta’s 1,000-foot elevation helps shape its pleasantly hilly terrain, slightly cooler feel compared to coastal areas, and easy access to even higher ground in North Georgia—without the adjustment challenges of high-altitude living.