By Laura Newsome
It’s an undeniable
fact—Atlanta is experiencing an exciting and unprecedented renaissance.
Just what has inspired this seemingly magical growth? You, our reader, and thousands
of new residents just like you who chose the Peach City over thousands of other
worthy candidates. Scenic landscapes, a bustling city center, cultural haunts,
recreation hot spots and Southern hospitality are just part of the story when
it comes to Atlanta’s emerging success as a relocation destination.
With affordable housing
and a low cost of living, Atlantans get more and spend less. To understand why
more than 5 million people have come to call Atlanta home, read on and discover
how Atlanta surpasses its urban competitors in almost every way that counts.
A
$50,000 Salary in Atlanta is comparable to:
|
$104,898
in New York
City |
| $87,969
in San Francisco |
|
$73,092
in Washington, D.C. |
| $60,249
in Chicago |
|
$59,177
in Seattle
|
Source: Bankrate.com
Living
the Good Life
In almost every expense navigated by your wallet, Atlanta is well below the
national norm. The following data indicates relative price levels for consumer
goods and services. The average composite index for the nation is 100 percent,
and each city’s index is read as a percentage of the overall average.
| |
Atlanta |
New
York City |
San
Francisco |
Seattle |
Wash.,
D.C. |
Chicago |
|
Composite
Index: |
-2.4 |
+118.8 |
+73.6 |
+21.5 |
+38.0 |
+11.5 |
|
Grocery
Items: |
-3.6 |
+41.0 |
+31.4 |
+15.1 |
+7.4 |
+7.9 |
|
Housing: |
-6.0 |
+304.9 |
+192.7 |
+48.7 |
+118.2 |
+29.0 |
|
Utilities: |
-9.7 |
+50.1 |
-2.4 |
-11.2 |
+2.4 |
+18.0 |
|
Transportation: |
+5.0 |
+24.8 |
+14.5 |
+8.0 |
+5.9 |
+9.2 |
|
Health
Care: |
+3.6 |
+29.1 |
+18.6 |
+19.1 |
+8.6 |
+3.3 |
|
Misc.
Goods
and Services: |
+0.3 |
+42.0 |
+31.1 |
+13.7 |
+1.7 |
-3.1 |
More
For Your Money
From your doctor’s visits to your water bill, Friday-night movie tickets
to a box of cereal, Atlanta offers the convenience and savior faire of a big
city, without the wallet-busting prices that often follow. In Atlanta, your
dollars go along way, leaving you plenty of money left over to enjoy more of
the good life the city has to offer—from concerts and fine dining to high-end
shopping and posh vacations.
| |
Atlanta |
New
York City |
San
Francisco |
Seattle |
Wash.,
D.C. |
Chicago |
| Home: |
$279,543 |
$1,099,399 |
$870,567 |
$410,540 |
$674,986 |
$360,750 |
|
Apartment
Rent: |
$784 |
$3,424 |
$2,021 |
$1,037 |
$1,700 |
$1,439 |
| Movies
for 2: |
$16.66 |
$20.84 |
$19.10 |
$18.00 |
$18.70 |
$17.76 |
|
Cup
of
Coffee: |
$3.27 |
$4.15 |
$4.56 |
$4.26 |
$3.50 |
$3.40 |
| Orange
Juice: |
$2.61 |
$3.59 |
$4.15 |
$2.87 |
$2.10 |
$2.79 |
|
Dentist
Visit: |
$70.80 |
$97.86 |
$79.86 |
$96.25 |
$81.00 |
$77.00 |
| Beauty
Salon: |
$30.11 |
$53.14 |
$55.00 |
$26.23 |
$43.00 |
$45.43 |
|
Veterinary
care: |
$39.28 |
$59.86 |
$53.20 |
$42.00 |
$50.50 |
$42.25 |
| Source:
Bankrate.com |