By Laura Newsome
Even in the current economic climate, Atlanta’s population is growing. Just what has inspired this 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:
|
$113,305
in New York
City
|
|
$84,251
in San Francisco
|
|
$71,673
in Washington, D.C.
|
|
$64,085
in Seattle
|
|
$61,486
in Chicago
|
Source: Bankrate.com
Living
the Good Life
When it comes to almost every expense, 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:
|
-4.4%
|
+117.4%
|
+64.2%
|
+21.1%
|
+40.5%
|
+16.6%
|
|
Grocery
Items:
|
-3.7%
|
+54.4%
|
+12.2%
|
+14.3%
|
+8.6%
|
+11.6%
|
|
Housing:
|
-8.9%
|
+290.5%
|
+181.5%
|
+39.3%
|
+128.2%
|
+34.8%
|
|
Utilities:
|
-12.9%
|
+67.1%
|
-6.3%
|
-13.3%
|
-1.9%
|
+12.2%
|
|
Transportation:
|
-1.0%
|
+20.2%
|
+12.4%
|
+17.1%
|
+8.9%
|
+17.0%
|
|
Health
Care:
|
+2.0%
|
+30.2
|
+15.9%
|
+18.9%
|
+3.0%
|
+8.2%
|
A Nice
Dinner Out:
|
-14.6% |
+68.4%
|
+27.6%
|
-7.0%
|
+3.2%
|
+19.0%
|
| Total Energy Cost: |
-17.7% |
+97.2% |
-3.5% |
-187.0% |
+6.0% |
+13.2% |
| In-State College Tuition: |
-14.9% |
+9.6% |
+13.0% |
+2.3% |
N/A |
+13.9% |
|
Misc.
Goods
and Services:
|
0%
|
+45.2%
|
+24.8%
|
+20.0%
|
+3.1%
|
+4.9%
|
More
For Your Money
Cut costs on everything from movie tickets to a box of cereal with a move to Atlanta, one of America’s most affordable cities. This bustling metropolis offers world-class entertainment, shopping, sports and dining at a fraction of the cost of other cities. As your living expenses drop, relish your newfound access to the finer things—whether it be a Braves game or a Broadway play.
|
Atlanta
|
New
York City
|
San
Francisco
|
Seattle
|
Wash.,
D.C.
|
Chicago
|
|
Home:
|
$266,467
|
$1,130,511
|
$820,923
|
$389,423
|
$653,020
|
$360,000
|
|
Apartment
Rent:
|
$798
|
$3,340
|
$2,229
|
$1,364
|
$1,655
|
$1,503
|
|
Movies
for 2:
|
$22.00
|
$28.00
|
$24.00
|
$24.00
|
$25.00
|
$21.00
|
|
Cup of Coffee:
|
$3.53
|
$5.99
|
$5.77
|
$4.70
|
$3.59
|
$4.85
|
|
Cereal:
|
$3.71
|
$5.59
|
$4.19
|
$4.04
|
$3.77
|
$4.39
|
|
Dentist
Visit:
|
$70.80
|
$194.25
|
$129.56
|
$95.52
|
$104.11
|
$87.50
|
|
Beauty Salon Trip:
|
$46.88
|
$47.00
|
$60.00
|
$39.80
|
$48.40
|
$37.43
|
|
Dry Cleaning:
|
$7.60
|
$14.60
|
$12.75
|
$13.58
|
$8.90
|
$8.71
|
|
Source:
Bankrate.com
|