Atlanta Cost of Living Calculator: What It Really Costs to Live in ATL

Thinking about moving to Atlanta, or trying to figure out if your current income actually fits Atlanta’s cost of living? A cost of living calculator can help, but the numbers make more sense when you understand how life in Atlanta, Georgia is priced in the real world.

This guide walks through the major costs you’ll face in Atlanta—housing, transportation, utilities, groceries, healthcare, taxes, and more—and shows you how to “manually” use an Atlanta cost of living calculator, even if you’re just doing rough math on paper or in a spreadsheet.

How to Use an “Atlanta Cost of Living Calculator” the Smart Way

Most online calculators ask three main things:

1. Where you live now
2. Where you’re going (Atlanta)
3. Your current income and/or expenses

To get useful, Atlanta-specific results:

• Adjust for in-town vs. suburbs. Costs in Midtown or Buckhead differ from Stone Mountain, Marietta, or College Park.
• Separate “must-haves” from “nice-to-haves.” A 1-bedroom near the BeltLine is different from a 3-bedroom in South Fulton.
• Customize categories. Don’t rely only on a calculator’s default. Use the Atlanta details below to plug in more realistic numbers.

Typical Monthly Budget Categories in Atlanta

Here’s a simple framework to “calculate” your Atlanta cost of living. You can plug your own numbers into this structure.

Use this as a personal cost of living calculator template. Estimate each category for your situation in Atlanta.

Housing Costs in Atlanta: Your Biggest Line Item

Housing is usually the largest factor when someone asks about Atlanta’s cost of living.

Renting in Atlanta

Atlanta offers everything from luxury high-rises in Midtown to older garden-style apartments in southwest neighborhoods and townhome-style rentals in the suburbs.

Factors that affect rent:

• Neighborhood:
  • Higher: Midtown, Buckhead, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, parts of West Midtown
  • Moderate: Decatur (city), East Atlanta, Kirkwood, Westview, Upper Westside
  • Often lower: Southwest Atlanta, parts of South Fulton, parts of Clayton and DeKalb counties
• Proximity to MARTA rail or major job centers like Downtown, Perimeter Center, and Cumberland.
• Amenities: Parking, in-unit laundry, pool, gym, pet-friendliness.

When you use an Atlanta cost of living calculator, adjust the “rent” field to match the specific part of town you’re considering, not just “Atlanta average.”

Owning a Home in Atlanta

If you’re buying:

• Urban neighborhoods like Grant Park, Virginia-Highland, and Candler Park tend to have higher prices and property taxes.
• Some parts of South Fulton, Clayton County, and south DeKalb can be more affordable but may involve longer commutes.

Remember to factor in:

• Property taxes (paid to the county and city, if applicable)
• Homeowner’s insurance (and possibly flood insurance, depending on location)
• HOA fees in condos or townhome communities

For questions about property taxes or homestead exemptions in Atlanta:

• Fulton County Tax Commissioner
  141 Pryor Street SW, Suite 1085
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 613-6100

This office can help you understand estimated property tax obligations in Atlanta neighborhoods within Fulton County.

Transportation: Car City with Pockets of Transit

Atlanta has a growing transit network, but many residents still depend heavily on cars. When calculating cost of living, transportation can make or break your budget.

Car Costs in Atlanta

If you own a car, plan for:

• Gas: Commutes from suburbs like Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, or Douglasville can add up.
• Insurance: Varies by ZIP code, driving record, and vehicle.
• Parking: Some intown apartments and offices charge extra for parking.
• Maintenance & repairs: Potholes and heavy traffic are not unusual around metro freeways and city streets.

Public Transit: MARTA and More

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) serves much of the city with:

• Rail lines: North-South and East-West lines serving Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, the Airport, and more.
• Bus routes: Reaching many neighborhoods without rail.

To plan routes or estimate pass costs:

• MARTA Headquarters & Lost and Found
  2424 Piedmont Road NE
  Atlanta, GA 30324
  Customer Service: (404) 848-5000

When using a cost of living calculator, you can lower the “transportation” line if you:

• Live near a MARTA station (e.g., Midtown, Lindbergh Center, Five Points, North Avenue).
• Work in a location that’s easy to reach by rail or a single bus line.
• Use rideshare or bike/scooter for short trips near the BeltLine.

Utilities and Internet in Atlanta

Atlanta’s climate and housing stock affect what you’ll pay for utilities.

Expect common bills for:

• Electricity: Heavy A/C use in summer; lighter heat use in winter depending on your home.
• Natural gas: Many Atlanta homes use gas for heat, water, and cooking.
• Water & sewer: Often managed by your county (e.g., City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management for many intown addresses).
• Trash & recycling: May be bundled with city/county services or included in rent.
• Internet: Fiber and cable are widely available in much of the city.

For water/sewer within the City of Atlanta:

• Department of Watershed Management – Customer Service
  72 Marietta Street NW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Customer Service: (404) 546-0311

In your personal calculator, utilities often sit around 5–10% of take-home pay, but apartments with older windows or single-family homes with poor insulation can push this higher, especially in hot months.

Groceries and Dining Out in Atlanta

Food costs in Atlanta depend heavily on whether you cook at home, eat out, or mix both.

Groceries

Atlanta has a mix of:

• National supermarket chains
• Discount and warehouse stores
• Specialty and international markets (especially along Buford Highway and in areas like Chamblee and Doraville)

Many local households manage food costs by:

• Shopping discount grocers or warehouse clubs for staples
• Using neighborhood farmers markets and produce stands for fresh items
• Planning meals around sales and seasonal produce

Dining Out

Atlanta has a strong dining scene—from food halls like those in Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market to neighborhood spots in East Atlanta Village, West Midtown, and Grant Park.

To plug realistic numbers into your cost of living calculator:

• Estimate how many meals per week you’ll eat out.
• Assign average costs for:
  • Quick meals (fast casual, lunch spots)
  • Sit-down dinners
  • Occasional special nights out

Food (groceries + dining) combined often ranges around 10–20% of a typical budget, but frequent dining out in popular intown neighborhoods can push this higher.

Healthcare Costs in Atlanta

Healthcare costs vary widely depending on your insurance coverage, employer benefits, and health needs.

Atlanta has several major hospital systems and medical centers, including:

• Emory University Hospital (Downtown and Druid Hills area)
• Grady Memorial Hospital (Downtown)
• Piedmont Atlanta Hospital (Peachtree Road NW)
• Northside Hospital Atlanta (Sandy Springs)

Key cost components to factor into your calculator:

• Monthly health insurance premium (if not covered or heavily subsidized by an employer)
• Co-pays and prescriptions
• Occasional specialist or urgent care visits

For non-emergency questions about options like Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids, or local health resources, many residents contact:

• Georgia Department of Community Health – Division of Medical Assistance Plans (Medicaid)
  2 Peachtree Street NW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main Phone: (404) 656-4507

You can estimate healthcare as 5–10% of your budget, then fine-tune using your actual plan details.

Taxes and Insurance in Atlanta

Income Tax

Georgia has a state income tax, so if you’re moving from a state with no income tax (like Florida or Texas), this is important in your Atlanta cost of living equation. The exact amount depends on your income bracket and filing status.

Sales Tax

The combined sales tax rate in Atlanta generally reflects:

• State sales tax
• County tax
• Possible city or local add-ons

Plan for sales tax on many purchases, especially big-ticket items like furniture and electronics when you move.

Property Tax (If You Own)

Property taxes in the City of Atlanta and surrounding counties vary by county (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, etc.) and by whether you claim a homestead exemption on your primary residence.

For Atlanta addresses within Fulton County:

• Fulton County Board of Assessors
  235 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1400
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 612-6440

Insurance

Include:

• Auto insurance (often required if you own a car or have a car loan)
• Renter’s insurance (usually inexpensive, sometimes required by landlords)
• Homeowner’s insurance (if you own a home)

Together, taxes and insurance can reasonably take 10–20% of your total spending, depending on your circumstances.

Childcare, Schools, and Education Costs

For families, the cost of living in Atlanta can shift dramatically based on childcare and education choices.

Childcare

Options include:

• Daycares and child development centers
• In-home childcare or nannies
• After-school programs through schools, churches, or nonprofits
• Camps and summer programs

Costs vary significantly by neighborhood, hours needed, and type of program. Many families place childcare in the same category as rent—it can be a major fixed cost.

Public Schools

Atlanta has multiple public school systems across metro counties. For city limits:

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS)
  130 Trinity Avenue SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 802-3500

Even if tuition is not required for public school, factor in:

• School supplies
• Activity and field trip fees
• Sports or extracurricular costs
• Transportation (if not bus-served)

If you use a cost of living calculator that doesn’t have a dedicated childcare line, create one. For families with young children, this can be one of the top three expenses along with housing and transportation.

Entertainment, Lifestyle, and “Everything Else” in Atlanta

Living in Atlanta offers plenty of ways to spend discretionary money:

• Concerts and events at venues like State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Tabernacle
• Museums and attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Atlanta Botanical Garden
• Outdoor activities on the Atlanta BeltLine, Piedmont Park, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, and city parks

Budget lines to consider:

• Streaming services and cable
• Gym or yoga studio memberships
• Sports leagues or classes
• Pet care and vet visits
• Clothing and personal care

Most calculators put this in a broad “entertainment” or “other” category. For a realistic Atlanta lifestyle, many households allocate 10–20% of take-home pay here, adjusting up or down based on priorities.

Step-by-Step: Build Your Own Atlanta Cost of Living Estimate

You can treat your budget like a personal cost of living calculator tailored to Atlanta:

1. Start with your take-home pay.

   • Use your actual net paycheck amount (after tax and benefits) per month.

2. Estimate housing.

   • Look at real rental or mortgage listings in your target Atlanta neighborhood.
   • Add property tax and insurance if buying.

3. Estimate transportation.

   • Add car payment (if any), gas, parking, insurance, and maintenance.
   • If you’ll rely on MARTA, estimate monthly pass or per-trip costs instead.

4. List utilities and internet.

   • Estimate monthly electricity, gas, water/sewer, trash (if not included), and internet.

5. Add groceries and dining.

   • Estimate weekly grocery spending and multiply by ~4.3 weeks.
   • Add a realistic amount for dining out.

6. Include healthcare.

   • Use your actual premiums, typical co-pays, and medication costs.

7. Factor in taxes and insurance gaps.

   • For salaried employees, much of this is already withheld. If self-employed or new to Georgia, plan for quarterly tax payments and additional insurance.

8. Add childcare or school-related costs if needed.

9. Budget for entertainment and personal spending.

   • Include gyms, subscriptions, hobbies, and local outings.

10. Compare total expenses to your income.

    • If expenses exceed income, consider:
      • Different neighborhoods with lower rent
      • Adjusting car vs. transit balance
      • Trimming discretionary categories

Local Resources When You Need Help Understanding Costs

If you’re relocating or adjusting your budget and want more specific Atlanta information, these local offices and agencies can be useful starting points:

• Atlanta City Hall – General Information
  55 Trinity Avenue SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main Switchboard: (404) 330-6000

• Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) – Provides regional planning data and resources that can give a sense of housing, transportation, and demographic trends in metro Atlanta.
  229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 100
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 463-3100

• United Way of Greater Atlanta – 211
  Dial 2-1-1 from most phones in the Atlanta area for information on local services, including housing and utility assistance resources.

Using an Atlanta cost of living calculator is most helpful when you back it up with real, local details: the neighborhood you actually plan to live in, how you truly get around the city, and the lifestyle you want in Atlanta. With those pieces, you can build a clear picture of what it really costs to live in ATL and whether your income fits the life you have in mind.