Atlanta is a city that has amazing culture and growth in the workplace. Even so, you don't want to have any surprises when you get here!

What's important to know is that the cost of housing often varies quite a bit in the different neighborhoods. In some cases, some of the areas will actually cost less than the other ones. The transportation around the city costs money too. These costs like buying food and having some fun really start to build up as well. But many of them are the same as they are anywhere in the country, or even lower than the national average.

So let's take a closer look at what the actual cost to live in Atlanta really is. Hopefully this will really help you to choose if this city is a good fit for you!

Housing Market in Atlanta

We can see some very interesting differences between the housing market in Atlanta and the one across the whole country.

In Atlanta, the middle price for the homes went up recently. It was much higher than it was in the last year. I can tell you that there's really quite a bit going on in the city right now! This price rise is a much bigger increase than the smaller national price was. The national price actually saw a little drop from the last quarter's numbers. It looks like the people in Atlanta really like a more lively market.

You may be curious about just what will happen next. The prices of homes here may actually go down a bit in the near future. This hints at a steady look ahead even though the market is a bit crowded. Well, if I had to take a wild guess then that high price might cause some people to think again. But it sure still keeps it interesting, that's for sure.

What's more, the story gets more interesting with all the changes in the number of homes available. In Atlanta, the number of homes you can buy actually went up recently. More homes always mean more choice. Right? But here is the twist: more than half of those homes actually got sold for less than what people were asking. You might see that a buyer's market is coming up. It might really give you a chance to talk down the price. It feels like looking for a treasure in an active market.

On the other hand, across the whole country it looks different. The amount of existing homes sold in the U.S. actually went down. But the number of homes available actually went up from last year. That means a slowing yet mixed market with some places still growing and others steady through price changes. I think of it like a patchwork quilt with lots of patterns - every little piece tells a part of the bigger story.

In case you're thinking about making a move in real estate, Atlanta's market has some pros and cons. It never hurts to get to know the area before you make the jump - or find a real estate agent who can help!

Grocery and Food Costs Explained

When you live in Atlanta right now you'll see that your grocery bills are a bit higher than they were in the past. In this city it's important to watch over your costs, which is a great idea. I talked with a friend who joked about how buying groceries now actually feels like you're signing up for some kind of expensive club.

Since Atlanta is listed as the 10th city with the most expensive groceries, it's easy to know what they mean by that. The local factors like the higher worker costs and the tricky supply chain troubles just keep causing the prices to rise.

What should you do to handle your weekly shopping? In my opinion Atlanta's nice farmers' markets are really worth looking at. You can get the fresh kale or the juicy tomatoes right from the people who actually grew them. There's something really quite special about it when you learn about where your food comes from. If you care most about convenience, stores like Publix also have meal kits that do a nice job while keeping the cost in mind.

Maybe you really want to think about eating out less. That makes sense - especially since even an easy meal out starts at $20.50. That cost gets bigger really fast at nicer places and the costs like to add up faster! To cook at home could actually be a really good idea. For the same amount as a couple of nights out, you can make some really tasty Southern meals on your own. To try recipes like homemade biscuits or fried green tomatoes is a fun activity on the weekend. You'll learn some smart cooking skills and the savings are real. I find that to cook at home sometimes feels better than to get fast food.

Even if inflation slows down a little in 2024, the supply chain bumps still mean it's smart to stay careful with your money. Discount apps could really help you. They are easy to use and could take a surprising amount off your grocery bill. To talk with the neighbors or friends about where they find the best deals could lead you to some great places. Atlanta's food community is full and bursting with the Southern flavors. So there's always something new to try with the local produce.

If you're taking care of those late-night snacks or putting together a dinner for friends, there's really always a way. You can make your money go a little bit more.

Next, let's take a look at what it really costs to get around in Atlanta.

How Expensive Is Transportation in Atlanta?

Atlanta has many ways for you to get around the city. Each one comes with its own set of costs and some nice aspects. There are also a few not-so-nice ones. Do you want to know how to get from one place to another in the city? You have a lot to think about. Let's take a look at the main choices like the public transit, ride-sharing services and having your own car.

MARTA is the main way for you to use the public transit in the city. It costs $2.50 for a one-way trip. You get the ability to take other rides without paying more. It's a way to save money while moving around the downtown area. You can miss the traffic and not have to deal with finding a place to park your car. If you only sometimes use it then you can buy passes like the $4.00 Day Pass or the 30-Day Pass. Some schools give lower prices for the students and workers, which is a nice extra. Just be sure to get the Breeze Card since it costs a few dollars - and you can load it again when needed!

The Atlanta Streetcar is another way for you to get around, and you're charged just $1.00 for each ride. It does not cover many places but it's nice for when you need to make short trips in the city center. It makes it easy to move around without the trouble of crowded paths or having to deal with the heat.

Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are very popular too. They usually cost more than MARTA - especially when many people are using them. But if you need to get to the places that MARTA does not go, they could save you time. I've spent a bit more when I had to get somewhere fast, and public transit was not easy to use.

When you have a car it can give you some of the most freedom. But with this comes lots of costs. Car insurance can cost quite a bit, and parking in the downtown area can become expensive fast. Then you introduce other costs like fixing the car when it's needed and paying tolls and buying gas. Traffic is sometimes heavy and being stuck in jams uses up more gas. For the people who live in the suburbs - where public transit options are few - having a car could make sense even with the high costs.

Traffic that does not move well is an issue that you really need to think about. If you plan to live here for a long time then you'll want to think about how this affects how you travel to work every day. After all, dealing with traffic is a big part of living in Atlanta!

Is Healthcare Affordable in Atlanta?

When you start to plan for the healthcare costs in the city of Atlanta for the year 2024, you will see that some of the details about it are a bit like what you find in other U.S. cities. I have seen that the healthcare payments for your plan here can go from about $340 to around $525. That is sort of in line with what you see across the country. But the exact amount that you pay can change depending on your plan type and where you live in Atlanta. In some areas, the prices could be higher or lower than you expected they would be.

When you look at the costs that you pay yourself, you may have a deductible of around $2000. You can expect to pay about $20 each time that you visit a doctor and 20% of the other services.

The city of Atlanta has lots of medical facilities that you can pick from. Big systems like Emory Healthcare and Grady Health System mean that you can get the care without a struggle. In a city where the healthcare costs are like the national average, saving money occasionally can help quite a bit.

If you think about the public health services, the city of Atlanta is pretty special here. Community clinics like the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness give services like the shots and regular disease care. They serve people from all kinds of income levels with fees based on what you can pay.

Atlanta has some specific healthcare challenges. You could want to look at the plans that cost less on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a great idea. They can give you some tax benefits and maybe even lower the plan payments. If you care most about staying healthy, the plans with higher deductibles could be a good fit for you as well.

The state's switch to Georgia Access for the insurance exchange starts on November 1. It tries to make it a little easier to afford. For the people, it is one step toward easier and less expensive healthcare. It is almost like having someone to help you personally with your healthcare needs!

Moving to Atlanta?

Atlanta has quite a bit going for it. The city is full of energy, and each of the neighborhoods has its own feel to it. You can really feel the life all around you when you're walking through the streets. You work out the housing market, and you learn how to budget for the weekend outings and for those grocery runs. There is always something to keep you busy.

Maybe you want the lively community in the downtown area. Or maybe the quiet suburbs are more of what you like. There is a place for everyone here. That is what makes the city special.

Think about all that we have talked about, and remember that it is not only about the costs. Also, think about the wonderful experiences you will have and the memories you will make.

What kind of life are you dreaming of in our bright city?

You could be thinking about starting your process in Atlanta, and I would love to help. My team at the Justin Landis Group is here to help. We're here to introduce you to the homes that really match your style, as well as your wants and needs. You could want a house tucked away in a calm neighborhood, or maybe something closer to the action. Either way, we have got you covered and can help you find a place that feels like home.

Reach out to the Justin Landis Group today. You will become part of a group that feels like a good fit for you. Are you ready to start your Atlanta adventure? We cannot wait to help you to make it happen!