As the cost of living continues to rise, the financial strain of many households in Atlanta is becoming more pronounced.
Despite the city’s ranking as one of the most affordable U.S. cities, a six-figure income has become necessary for homeownership this year.
Atlanta was listed as the ninth most affordable city in a recent Motley Fool Money report, which analyzed median household incomes against living costs across hundreds of towns.
Local households earn about $85,880, slightly below the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s estimate of $89,565 for the region.
This local income figure still surpasses the national median of approximately $79,281.
Workers in Atlanta have seen a notable pay increase of 8.35% compared to the national average, making the city an attractive place for job seekers.
However, the financial security of many residents is not as robust as these numbers suggest.
A survey conducted by Kennesaw State University, which involved over 4,000 residents across 11 metro Atlanta counties, revealed that economic concerns are top of mind for locals.
Around 32% of respondents indicated that their top worry was the economy, overshadowing other issues such as crime, taxes, and education.
The survey also found that about 70% of participants felt they were either in a similar financial situation or worse than in 2023.
More alarmingly, around 64% expressed they couldn’t afford to relocate within their neighborhoods, despite wanting a change in housing.
The financial struggles extend beyond housing, as many Atlantans face challenges in covering unexpected expenses.
Only 50% of those surveyed reported they could gather $400 for an emergency without resorting to credit cards, loans, or pawning possessions.
A concerning 12% indicated they would not be able to access that amount at all in a financial crisis.
Moreover, less than half—48%—of residents believed that it was a favorable time to find a well-paying job.
Another significant issue affecting Atlanta residents is the rising cost of health care.
Georgia has repeatedly been ranked among the least affordable states for health care, with shocking statistics revealed by various studies.
For instance, the average Georgian incurs about $10,976.67 annually on premiums and deductibles for employer-provided plans.
The median cost of a hospitalization in Georgia was reported at $7,000, while the average cost climbed to $13,098, according to the Georgia All-Payer Claims Database.
The state is also grappling with high uninsured rates, with an estimated 1.2 million individuals under 65 lacking coverage—making up 13.6% of the state’s population.
In light of the rising costs, nationwide surveys indicated that health care affordability is a major concern.
Over half of Americans surveyed by Emory University in the previous year expressed apprehension about managing health care expenses.
In a Kaiser Family Foundation poll, a significant proportion of respondents admitted to postponing or foregoing necessary treatments due to cost concerns.
Despite the challenging financial landscape, Atlanta’s housing market remains relatively affordable in comparison to the national median.
According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, while housing costs are escalating, Atlanta’s overall cost of living continues to hover just below the national average.
Yet, affordability is a relative term, and many residents are still feeling the pinch as prices rise.
As the city grapples with these significant financial challenges, the need for improved economic conditions becomes increasingly clear.
The financial well-being of Atlanta residents hangs in the balance, with calls for more substantial efforts to address these critical issues.
image source from：https://www.ajc.com/business/2025/05/atlanta-ranks-9th-most-affordable-city-but-capital-living-still-aint-cheap/
