All Your Burning Questions Answered About Moving to Atlanta
It has been years since Atlanta was named one of the most desirable cities in the country, but it has not disappeared from the spotlight. You can still find many reasons to move to what is commonly referred to as the gateway to the Southeast. Nicknamed ATL, The Big Peach, or The City in a Forest, Atlanta is the capital and most populous city of Georgia. Atlanta is known for its diverse culture and attractions. Atlanta has renowned gardens, theme parks, music, art, theater, museums, and historical sites, which hold deep tales from the American Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. Atlanta is also home to world-famous brands like CNN and Coca-Cola. If you are thinking of moving to Atlanta or, this guide provides detailed answers to all your questions.
Atlanta at a Glance
- Atlanta was founded on December 29, 1847
- 506,811 people live in Atlanta.
- Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta is one of the world’s busiest airports.
- In 1886, Coca-Cola was invented and founded in Atlanta by Dr. John S. Pemberton.
- The Atlanta Tech Village, Buckhead, is the fourth-largest tech space in the U.S.
- Atlanta gets an average of 52 inches of rain each year and 1 inch of snow.
- During the Civil War in 1864, General William Sherman set Atlanta ablaze. About 40 percent of the city was destroyed.
What Is the Cost of Living in Atlanta?
Several factors affect the cost of living in each area, the average salary of the locality, the cost of real estate and transportation, and lots more. Thankfully, Atlanta is an affordable place to live. The cost of living in Atlanta is 2% lower than the national average.
Is it Expensive to Live in Atlanta?
Compared to other vibrant and trendy cities like San Francisco, New York, and Boston, living in Atlanta is a steal. Here’s why:
- The average monthly rent of an Atlanta one-bedroom apartment is $900 cheaper than most big cities in the US.
- You can also find affordable one-bedrooms in Atlanta’s suburbs for less than $1000.
- The average cost for utilities is less than $250 monthly, including air conditioning and internet.
(*Aptamigo)
What Is the Average Salary in Atlanta?
The average salary in Atlanta is about $4,500 per month before taxes, which is $54,000 per year. (*Aptamigo)
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Atlanta?
The cost to live in Atlanta is $2,550 for one person per month.
Expense | Cost |
Rent – 1-bed outside city centre | $1,600 |
Utilities – Gas, water, electricity, phone & internet | $200 |
Groceries – Fresh produce & refrigerated items | $300 |
Entertainment & Leisure – 5 beers, 1 regular meal + 1 mid-range meal at restaurant, 1 cinema visit & 1 gym membership | $250 |
Transportation & Material Goods – 1 pair of jeans, 1 dress & 1 monthly transit pass | $200 |
Total | $2,550 |
(*Numbeo)
How Much is Rent in Atlanta?
A 1-bedroom apartment in Atlanta costs an average of $1,100 per month outside the city center. A 3-bedroom apartment in Atlanta costs an average of $2,000 per month outside the city center.
(*Numbeo)
How Much Is the MARTA Train in Atlanta?
For a one-way trip on trains or buses, the MARTA fare costs $2.50. When getting on a bus, you are allowed to pay the exact fare in cash. However, you must use a $2 reloadable Breeze Card or a $1 disposable paper ticket. For more details on the different fare options, see below.
Type of fare | Cost |
Regular fare Up to four transfers within 3 hours. | $2.50 |
Children 46 inches and below. Only 2 per paying adult. | Free |
Senior Citizens, Disabled Riders, and Medicare Recipients | $1.00 |
MARTA Mobility Paratransit | $4.00 |
1 Day Pass | $9.00 |
2 Day Pass | $14.00 |
3 Day Pass | $16.00 |
4 Day Pass | $19.00 |
7 Day Pass | $23.75 |
30 Day Pass | $95.00 |
Group Discounts | A minimum purchase of 200-day passes is required. |
University Pass Monthly | Students: $68.50 Faculty: $83.80 |
Student Pass Program Weekly | $14.40 |
(*Marta Guide)
What to Do in Atlanta?
Atlanta is one of the most important cities in the south and is a popular tourist destination. Since Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympics in 1996, Georgia’s capital has enjoyed a gradual and steady rise in popularity. Whether you desire luxurious resorts or down-home country dining, Atlanta has something for everyone. Both residents and visitors will find activities and attractions in Atlanta to suit all tastes, from art museums to outdoor excursions.
What to Visit in Atlanta?
Here are a few places you must visit if moving to Atlanta:
- Atlanta History Center
- Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
- Piedmont Park
- Atlanta’s Fox Theater
- Atlanta Beltline
- Center for Civil and Human Rights
- Oakland Cemetery
- Centennial Olympic Park
- Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Ponce City Market
- Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Georgia Aquarium
- College Football Hall of Fame
- Stone Mountain Park
- World of Coca-Cola
- High Museum of Art
- SunTrust Park
- Mercedes Benz Stadium
- Zoo Atlanta
- CNN Studio Tours
What to Do in Atlanta at Night?
Some activities to do in Atlanta at night include:
- Georgia Aquarium Sleepover. Experience what it’s like to sleep under the sea at the Georgia Aquarium. The sleepover comes inclusive of food, presentations, guided tours, and more.
- Ride the Skyview Ferris Wheel and enjoy the beautiful skyline of Atlanta, perfect for a romantic evening.
- Visit the 22-acre green space of the Centennial Olympic Park and enjoy the view as the water fountains light up.
- Celebrate culture and arts in Atlanta’s theaters. Visit The Basement Theater and Fox Theater, among others, to enjoy Broadway musicals, local productions, and underground improvs.
What to Do in Atlanta with Kids?
Atlanta offers so many fun activities and places to visit for kids. The Georgia Aquarium allows a sleepover that lasts from 7 pm on the sleepover day to the end of the next day. Kids will enjoy sleeping under the sea, snacks, food, and fun presentations. Kids can also visit The Roof at Ponce City and enjoy playing with old-school carnival rides, mini-golf, and lots more. They can also take a trip to Zoo Atlanta to enjoy a feel of wildlife. Animals at Zoo Atlanta include Lions, Bears, Tigers, Giraffes, Giant Pandas, and more. Other fun activities include canoeing the Chattahoochee River, completing the obstacle course at Treetop Quest, engaging in physical exercise like dodgeball at Adventure Air Sports.
What to Do in Atlanta in the rain?
Nothing interrupts a day’s activity like unpredictable weather. However, Atlanta offers several indoor activities for everyone when the rain comes down. Here are some fun activities to do in Atlanta when it rains:
- Escape rooms! Spend a couple of hours unraveling clues and solving puzzles to help you escape one of these locked themed rooms at Escape the Room, Mission Escape, The Escape Game Atlanta, and Ultimate Escape.
- Enjoy more than 60 state-of-the-art arcade games that Game X offers for every age. It also features a full bar for food and drinks.
- Visit the Atlanta Monetary Museum to experience how money is made, moved, and destroyed by robots.
- Take the kids to the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Children will enjoy exploring, climbing, playing, and learning at this children’s museum for hours.
- The Painted Pin is a great location to escape the rain. Equipped with 20 lanes of pin bowling, Bocce ball, Ping pong, and more, you are in for a good time. It also features a full-service bar where you can enjoy cocktails, wines, and local beers.
Other fun indoor spots include Sky Zone, Stars and Strikes, Southeastern Railway Museum, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Hodgepodge Coffeehouse. Atlanta truly offers an endless list of exciting spots, no matter the weather.
What’s It Like to Live in Atlanta?
Living in Atlanta offers several benefits when compared to other metro cities. Notable among such benefits is the cost of renting apartments. Reports by the Atlanta Journal Constitution suggest that Atlanta offers a better value than cities with similarly sized populations when you compare housing costs to average household income.
Is Atlanta Safe?
Atlanta is generally safe. However, certain hotspots may spring up due to street gang violence. When visiting or moving to Atlanta, simply avoid sketchy neighborhoods like Adams Hill and Center Hill. Atlanta has occasionally been affected by earthquakes, severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes. The most recent disaster in and around metro Atlanta was in 2009 when continuous rain caused a massive flood that led to the death of at least 10 people and caused damages worth $500 million.