salaryAtlanta is the largest city in Georgia that we track, with 505,268 residents. Rent is higher than in 69% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.8 years of household income. It is a highly educated city: 59.2% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $79,960 a year. That is $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Georgia cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Georgia. It is number 132 of 168 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Atlanta with other big cities
Compare Atlanta to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Atlanta?
Share of households by yearly income. 34.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Atlanta
| Size | Atlanta | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,797 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,752 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,921 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,768 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,862 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Atlanta overall?
Everyday prices in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro area are same as the U.S. average (index 100.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Atlanta
Life in Atlanta
What jobs pay in Atlanta
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $139,870 | 17.2% |
| Lawyer | $138,210 | 17.4% |
| Software Developer | $132,960 | 18.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,500 | 18.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $119,090 | 20.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $111,810 | 21.5% |
| Operations Manager | $111,410 | 21.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | 23.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,370 | 23.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $88,000 | 27.3% |
| Accountant | $85,820 | 28.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $79,030 | 30.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $76,570 | 31.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $65,060 | 36.9% |
| Police Officer | $60,910 | 39.4% |
| Truck Driver | $59,100 | 40.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,970 | 40.7% |
| Electrician | $58,650 | 40.9% |
| Plumber | $58,380 | 41.1% |
| Carpenter | $50,680 | 47.3% |
| Firefighter | $47,300 | 50.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,060 | 52.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,710 | 56.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,350 | 61.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,020 | 61.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,230 | 64.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $32,850 | 73.0% |
| Cashier | $30,010 | 79.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $18,460 | 129.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Atlanta?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,051 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $439,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $43,960 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Atlanta, GA?
Renting in Atlanta costs a median of about $1,999 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Georgia median is $1,667.
How much do I need to make to live in Atlanta?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $79,960 a year, or $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Atlanta cheap or expensive?
Atlanta is rated OK: rent takes 26.0% of the typical household income of $92,376. It ranks 132nd cheapest of 168 Georgia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Atlanta?
The median homeowner in Atlanta pays $4,231 a year in property taxes, about 0.96% of the median home value.
Is Atlanta more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are same as the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Atlanta?
The median home value in Atlanta is $439,600, about 4.8 times the typical yearly household income.
505,268 people live in Atlanta. Numbers are typical (middle) values.