Moving to Atlanta in 2024?
Complete Moving Guide

Planning to move to Atlanta?

Moving is considered one of the major decisions of anyone’s life. If you are planning to move to Atlanta, then you should know everything about the city. This is a vibrant and exciting city with a rich culture and diverse population. The cost of living in Atlanta is relatively high as everything thing is expensive including groceries, housing, transportation, etc. Traffic congestion is a major issue in the city and there is availability of public transportation for commuting. The climate in Atlanta is humid and hot. You can find a perfect neighborhood for you as there is diversity in the neighborhood in terms of budget and culture. There are plenty of opportunities to spend a day in Atlanta. 

• Quick Facts of Atlanta
• Top reasons to move to Atlanta
• Pros & Cons of Living in Atlanta
• Best Neighborhoods in the Atlanta
• Cost of living in Atlanta
• Atlanta job market
• Major industries in Atlanta
• Top Career Options in Atlanta
• Best things to do in Atlanta
• Education System in Atlanta
• Type of insurance required in Atlanta
• Taxes in Atlanta

Quick Facts of Atlanta

There are some quick facts about Atlanta that you should know before moving there- 

Top reasons to move to Atlanta

If you are not sure about your decision about moving to Atlanta, you can check out these reasons- 

Source: Atlanta Regional Commission

Pros & Cons of Living in Atlanta

Each city offers some benefits to its residents and makes their living difficult with some negative points. Atlanta has a lot to offer and also has some negative points. Let us check out the pros and cons of living in Atlanta- 

Source: Atlanta Magazine

Best Neighborhoods in the Atlanta

Once you decide to relocate to a new city, you have to find a new home in a great neighborhood. As we know, people in Atlanta are welcoming so it will be easy for you to adjust to the new neighborhood.

Let us explore the best neighborhoods of Atlanta where you can find your new home- 

Source: Livability.com

Cost of living in Atlanta

The cost of living in any place is decided by several expenses that you have to pay for a simple living. This includes the cost of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, utilities and more.

The cost of living in Atlanta is higher than the national average but still, it is relatively affordable for living. The cost of major expenses in Atlanta are listed in the coming section and it will help you set your moving budget as well. 

Source: Council for Community and Economic Research

Housing Market in Atlanta 

The housing market in Atlanta is currently showing an increase in demand but has lower supply which is the main reason for increasing prices of homes. Currently, the median home price in Atlanta is $400,000. The average home price in Atlanta is higher in 2023 and is expected to increase by 3.5% in the coming year. Since the house prices are high it is difficult for first-time homebuyers to buy a house. 

Source: Zillow, Atlanta Regional Commission

Average rental cost in Atlanta

The average rental cost in Atlanta is $1,921 per month and the median rent in Atlanta is $1,800 per month. The average rental cost depends on the neighborhood, type of house and several other factors. 

Source: Zumper, RentCafe

Atlanta job market

If you move to a new city for better career opportunities, then you should learn about the job market and economy of the city before moving there.

The current job market in Atlanta is very strong as there are several Fortune 500 companies in the city and there is a high demand for skilled professionals in different industries. 

The unemployment rate in the city is 3.5% which is lower than the national average. The job market is good for new job seekers. 

Source: Atlanta Regional Commission

Top Career Options in Atlanta

The city offers high-end jobs for newcomers as well as skilled professionals. If you are moving here for a better career option then check out the data provided in the table below- 

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Median Salary in Atlanta

The median salary in Atlanta is $69,164, which is higher than the national average. The median household income has been steadily increasing in Atlanta for over a decade. The median household income in Atlanta depends on the neighborhood. 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Major industries in Atlanta

Many industries in Atlanta offer employment opportunities to experienced as well as to new job seekers. So, Van Lines Move compiled the list of major industries in the city- 

Source: Atlanta Regional Commission

Best things to do in Atlanta

Learn all about the best ways to spend your days exploring the city before moving. Check out the best ways to have fun in Atlanta- 

Source: Tripadvisor

Education System in Atlanta

Education is a prime requirement and it should be affected by the relocation process. We understand finding the right school or college is challenging even before moving to a new city.

Thus, we have listed the best elementary, middle, and high schools as colleges and universities in the city- 

Source: Niche

Transportation & Navigation in Atlanta

The transportation system in Atlanta is comprehensive with the presence of rail lines, buses, shuttles, etc. The MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) operates all the public transport.

Rail System- The rail system in Atlanta has four lines- the Red Line, the Gold, the Green and the Blue Line. The rail system in the city is fast and efficient.

Bus System- There are about 100 routes for bus service in the city. The system is extensive and reliable.

Shuttle service- Shuttle services are available for the assigned routes like an airport. Other than this the city has well connected network of ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber.

Navigation- The city is easy to navigate due to the street grid system and plenty of walkable space. There are several ways to navigate the city like Google Maps, Signage and more. these navigation systems help the residents to easily get around the city.

Source: MARTA: https://www.itsmarta.com/

Type of insurance required in Atlanta

There are various insurances that you might require in Atlanta, including- 

Homeowners Insurance- This type of insurance protects the house and household belongings from different types of damages and losses that occur due to fire, theft, natural disaster and vandalism.

Renters Insurance- This type of insurance protects your personal belongings from different types of damages that occur due to fire, theft or vandalism. This will provide liability coverage if anyone gets injured on your property.

Auto Insurance- This type of insurance is required by law in North Carolina and all divers must have it. This will provide liability coverage in case of accident for your vehicle and other motorist.

Health Insurance- This type of insurance provides financial support for paying medical expenses and prescription medicines.

Life Insurance- This type of insurance provides financial support to your loved ones in the event of your death.

Business Insurance- This type of insurance protects your business from any loss or damage like property damage, business interruption or more.

Source: North Carolina Department of Insurance, "Types of Insurance"

Taxes in Atlanta

Taxes are considered as one of the major expenses that are included in the cost of living. Each state has its regulations regarding the taxes. In Atlanta, there are several types of taxes that you have to pay- 

Income Tax- In Georgia, there is a flat income tax rate of 6% which implies that all the residents and businesses have to pay the same percentage of their taxes and there is no impact on income level. 

Sales Tax- The sales tax rate in Georgia is 4% and there is additional local sales tax in some cities and counties. This results in a total sales tax rate of 8%. 

Property Tax- The property tax in Atlanta is assessed by the value of the property and the property tax rate in Atlanta is 1.46%. 

Motor vehicle ad valorem tax- Motor vehicle ad valorem tax in Atlanta is based on the fair market value. The tax rate in the city is 1% of the fair market value. 

Business License Tax- All the businesses in Atlanta are required to obtain a business license from the city and the cost of the license depends on the type of business. 

Employer withholding tax All employers in Atlanta are required to withhold the federal and state income tax from their employees’ paychecks. 

Hotel Tax- This tax is applicable on hotel rooms and the rate of hotel tax in Atlanta is 8%. 

Source: Georgia Department of Revenue: https://dor.georgia.gov/taxes/withholding-tax-employers

FAQs

• 1. How can you enjoy Atlanta’s thriving arts scene?

  Ans: There is a list of places where you can explore and dive into the art scene of Atlanta-

  Museums and Galleries:

  High Museum of Art

  Spelman College Museum of Fine Art

  Michael C. Carlos Museum

  MINT Gallery

  Little Five Points

  Public Art:

  Atlanta BeltLine

  Living Walls

  Elevate Atlanta

  Live Performance:

  Alliance Theatre

  Fox Theatre

  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

  Center for Puppetry Arts

• 2. What historical sites should you visit to experience Atlanta’s rich history?

  Ans: Explore Atlanta's rich history at these historical sites-

  Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

  Atlanta History Center

  Margaret Mitchell House

  Oakland Cemetery

  National Center for Civil and Human Rights

  Cyclorama

  Fox Theatre

Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. It is recommended to conduct thorough research and consult relevant experts before making any decisions related to relocation.