Atlanta remains a value‑play among America’s big metros. In early 2025 a single adult needs roughly US $1,330 a month, excluding rent, to live comfortably, while a family of four should budget about US $4,800 for the same basket of goods and services.

Typical city‑core rents hover near US $1,600 for a one‑bedroom and US $3,000 for a three‑bed, putting total monthly outlays at US $3,000‑3,300 for singles and US $7,100‑7,700 for families, depending on neighbourhood and lifestyle.

Homebuyers face a median list price just over US $405 k – a figure that is still 2‑7 % below the U.S. median but almost 10 % above Georgia’s statewide average. Average after‑tax salaries (~US $5,320 / mo) keep the city’s price‑to‑income ratio attractive, and gross rental yields around 6.8 % in Fulton County continue to lure investors.

In short: Atlanta costs a bit more than the Georgia norm, a bit less than the national norm, and offers healthy cash‑flow potential for property owners.

The 2025 Cost‑of‑Living Landscape in Atlanta

Why Atlanta’s numbers matter

Metro Atlanta is now home to ≈6.4 million people after a brisk 4.7 % population jump since 2020, powered largely by in‑migration. Employers added more than 3.1 million non‑farm jobs as of March 2025, keeping unemployment close to the national average.That combination – steady job creation plus fresh talent inflows – pushes wages up while tempering runaway housing prices, a dynamic both renters and investors should keep on their radar.

Cost‑of‑living index

BestPlaces’ composite index pegs Atlanta about 2‑3 % below the U.S. urban average yet 9‑10 % higher than the Georgia baseline. Day‑to‑day life feels slightly dearer than Savannah or Augusta but noticeably cheaper than Boston, Seattle, or San Francisco. Inflation has been kind: the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows metro prices rising just 1.7 % year‑on‑year – among the lowest of any large U.S. metro.

Housing: the elephant in the room

Buying a home

• Median list price (April 2025): US $405,000 – up 1.5 % quarter‑on‑quarter.
• Typical resale price (Mar 2025 Zillow): US $388,500, down 2.4 % year‑on‑year.
• Price‑per‑sq‑m (condo): roughly US $2,870 in Midtown, US $2,380 in the suburbs.
• 20‑year fixed mortgage APR (national): 6.51 %; Georgia’s 30‑year fixed sits at 6.83 %.

Renting in Atlanta

Apartments.com puts the average Atlanta rent at US $1,607, a hair below the U.S. mean. One‑bed units in Buckhead or Midtown cluster around US $1,900, while similar space outside the Perimeter (OTP) averages US $1,480‑1,520.

Three‑bed demand from young families drives prices to US $3,000+ in core neighbourhoods, but plenty of OTP stock still lists around US $2,300.

Day‑to‑day expenses

Utilities & connectivity

Basic utilities for an 85 m² (915 ft²) flat cost ≈US $200 / mo, 10‑15 % under the national median. Mobile service averages US $57.65, while gig‑speed home internet runs ≈US $71.33.

Transportation

Atlanta is famously car‑centric. As of May 2025 local regular unleaded averages US $3.10 / gal, a notch below the U.S. mean, though volatile. A MARTA monthly pass is US $95, and a single ride US $2.50. Taxi/Uber base fares start at US $3.50, plus US $1.49 / km.

Groceries & dining

Groceries track the U.S. basket to within 1 %. Expect to pay US $4 for bread, US $1.02 for a litre of milk, and US $15‑18 for a kilo of poultry or beef. Dining out spans US $20 at an inexpensive eatery to US $100 for a three‑course dinner for two.

Lifestyle and personal services

Healthcare

Atlanta’s private‑practice fees sit 7‑9 % above national averages: routine doctor visits US $127‑150, dentist US $123‑145, optometrist ≈US $130.

Education & childcare

International‑school tuition is steep at ≈US $27,000 / yr. Private preschool averages US $1,417 / mo. State universities charge around US $41 k in‑state; top private campuses exceed US $79 k annually.

Recreation

A month at most chain gyms costs US $46; boutique studios may double that. Movie tickets average US $16 and tennis‑court rentals ≈US $10 / hr.

Taxes, salaries, and purchasing power

What you keep

Georgia’s flat income‑tax rate just ticked down again in April 2025 to 5.19 %, with further cuts legislated for 2026. Add 4 % state plus 1 % Atlanta sales tax. Fulton County property levies run near 1.08 % of assessed value, translating to ≈US $2,730 / yr on a US $253 k home.

What you earn

Numbeo’s crowd‑sourced payroll data places the average net salary at US $5,321 / mo, aligning with BLS occupational tables for the metro. Real hourly earnings are up 1.4 % year‑over‑year, outpacing inflation.

Investor outlook

• Population trajectory: ARC forecasts 7.9 million residents by 2050 – an extra 1.8 million to house.
• Job base: Diversified away from legacy logistics into fintech, film, and life‑sciences, bolstered by Hartsfield‑Jackson’s global connectivity.
• Supply side: Single‑family permits dipped in 2024, and owners locked into 3 % pandemic mortgages are staying put, keeping resale inventory tight even as rates hover near 7 %.
• Cash flow: Rising yields (6.8 %) plus modest vacancy make build‑to‑rent and value‑add multifamily plays attractive.

Atlanta offers a rare Sun Belt mix – solid appreciation upside without sacrificing immediate cash flow.

Renter strategy: stretching your housing dollar

1. Leverage transit nodes. MARTA’s new open‑gangway trains and station upgrades are widening the liveable “car‑light” corridor, slicing commute costs.
2. Negotiate perks. With vacancy creeping above 8 %, landlords are offering free first months or parking credits – especially in 10‑20‑year‑old Class‑A buildings.
3. Consider roommates. A shared three‑bed OTP unit (~US $2,300) often beats a solo one‑bed in cost‑per‑square‑foot.

Atlanta in 2025 threads the needle between affordability and opportunity. For residents, costs sit comfortably mid‑pack among major U.S. metros while wages keep pace. For investors, resilient population growth, improving transit, and above‑average rental yields create a compelling case to buy‑and‑hold – especially with tax reforms trimming state levies. Whether you’re eyeing a BeltLine loft or a suburban build‑to‑rent portfolio, the numbers still add up in the capital of the New South.