Atlanta is one of the biggest cities in the Southern United States, and for good reasons. Housing is affordable, jobs are abundant, and the technology sector continues to grow. What’s more, millions of people live in Atlanta, and the culture is vast, unique, and welcoming.
That said, is Atlanta a good place to live? While all of that sounds great, it’s important to learn more about Atlanta before you plan your move. Thankfully, we’re here to help, and this article takes you through everything you need to know.
Facts And Statistics About Atlanta
One of the best ways to determine if Atlanta is a good place to live is to look at the numbers. This includes crime rates, housing costs, job opportunities, and much more. We cover some of the most notable stats below.
Housing Opportunities
In Atlanta, the average cost to rent an apartment hovers around $1,800, and the average home cost is just under $500,000. Over the last few years, houses have climbed in value with an increase of 1.2% in 2025. This means that a single adult in Atlanta would need to make at least $53,000 to be comfortable, and even more if a family is involved.
There are also different costs associated with different neighborhoods based on the size and safety of housing.
Crime Rate
The crime rate is one of the most influential factors in determining whether or not a place is worth moving to. In Atlanta, the crime rate is above the national average, but only in some parts. Plus, trends show that the crime rate has started to drop for violent crimes over recent years.
Still, the crime numbers from 2024 show that crime happens at a rate of about 48 per 1,000 people. It’s also important to note that while violent crimes decreased, property crimes have increased.
Job Opportunities
Atlanta has a lot of job opportunities and has a healthy and growing economy. Plenty of jobs are available in tech, but also for people who work in the trades.
Manufacturing, healthcare, and professional services are also on the rise in Atlanta. In fact, it’s one of the fastest-growing economies in the US.
Is Atlanta A Good Place To Live?
Yes, Atlanta is a good place to live, but only if you move to the right part. For example, you don’t want to move your family into a studio apartment in the heart of downtown Atlanta when you work on a farm outside the city.
That may be a crazy example, but Atlanta has plenty of areas, jobs, and opportunities for everyone as long as you do a little bit of research and choose the right neighborhood for you.
When it comes to safety and the cost of living, crime is still high, but violent crimes hit an all-time low in 2024. Plus, housing costs are below the national average, so it’s a great place to start a family. Overall, Atlanta gets our stamp of approval for a good place to live.
What’s the Finest Part of Atlanta to Live In?
Some of the more popular parts of Atlanta to live in include Midtown and Buckhead, which are known for having great job markets and lower crime rates than the rest of the city. Many people also love the suburbs surrounding Atlanta, including Johns Creek and Alpharetta, two of the city’s nicest suburban areas.
Still, the best part of Atlanta is subjective, and it may change based on your preferences. If you’re single and just starting your career, for example, you may prefer Downtown or Buckhead instead of the suburbs. On the other hand, families with multiple children may need more space and land, which you’ll find outside the metropolitan parts of Atlanta.
How Much Does It Cost To Move To Atlanta?
If you’ve decided to move to Atlanta, you have to consider more factors than the cost of living because you also have to move there. The cost of the move to Atlanta depends on where you’re moving from, how many things you have, and even the moving company you plan on working with. That said, you can expect a move to Atlanta to cost you between $1,000 and $10,000.
The closer you are and the fewer items you have, the lower the cost, but if you have to move a lot of things over a great distance, especially into a large home, the cost will creep up closer to $10,000. With such a wide variation in cost, we recommend using this pricing calculator to get a more accurate cost estimate.
Final Thoughts On Living In Atlanta
Overall, Atlanta is a great place to live. There are plenty of affordable homes, condominiums, townhouses, and other types of housing, along with a growing job market. Plus, the culture is unique and exciting, making Atlanta a great place to live for single young adults, families, and even senior populations trying to escape the cold.
Still, Atlanta does have an above-average crime rate, and the traffic is terrible, so make sure you choose the right parts of Atlanta for you.