Moving into a city like Atlanta can be a big decision for a lot of people. Usually, we consider the overall living cost in a city before packing our bags. Even after finding out the cost of living in Atlanta, you will need to keep in mind how much you make monthly. Salary is a major factor, and here we are going to discuss where you will be spending it in Atlanta.
Housing Expenses
Compared to the major cities, the rent in Atlanta is very affordable for the average American. In fact, the apartment rent here is lower than the national average. You can easily get a comfortable single bedroom apartment for just above $1,400. That’s the median rent in Atlanta.
Buying homes in Atlanta is a viable option as well. On average, you can find suitable homes at around $300,000. And of course, there are more expensive options that only the richer minority like shipping company owners can afford. The prices have decreased significantly over the past few years.
Food and Groceries Expenses
Food sources are abundant in Atlanta. So naturally, it is very affordable as well. The city is saturated with casual and high-end restaurants, and the cuisine they offer can undoubtedly satisfy you. A decent meal for a single person can range from $10-$50.
Everyday groceries are quite inexpensive as well. If you live completely alone, you can spend about $3,100 on food and groceries.
Transportation
Atlanta is easy to navigate in. the public transit is reasonably developed, and it’s unlikely that anyone should face any issues with walkability. Despite all this, most of the residents do travel around by car. It really depends on how much you travel about. A monthly-pass is $95, and a one-way ticket in local transit is around $3. Overall you can expect to spend around $4,000 on transportation every month.
Utilities
The climate in Atlanta is quite mild, and nothing unconventional occurs frequently. The utility expenses can differ seasonally. For basic utilities like electricity, cooling, heating, garbage disposal, running water, etc., can add up to be $167 per month. Additional expenses can include $70 a month for internet access.
Entertainment
Atlanta is quite favorable to those who seek to spend more time outdoors. There are areas where you can find mild faucets of wilderness. Public parks are abundant here. Some may wish to be part of fitness clubs and gyms. Entertainment also includes going to the cinemas. The usual gym-goer will have to spend about $40 a month. A seat at the cinemas will cost $14 at best.
Conclusion
After looking into all of these factors, we can make a safe assessment as to what amount of salary is suitable for someone living in Atlanta. Anyone who wishes to live here happily will have to have an annual salary of about $70,000. With just this amount, one can maintain his or her mental and emotional well-being without facing any trouble. Of course, if you are willing to live in low-maintenance, then having a $41,000 annual income can be suitable as well.
