Atlanta 78 Exceptional
Atlanta Livability #16 ranked city in Georgia#2,246 ranked city in the USARanks better than 92% of areas

Atlanta, GA - The Big Peach

Atlanta, GA, known as 'The Big Peach,' offers a unique blend of Southern charm and modern urbanism. Located in northern Georgia, Atlanta is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub in the Southeastern United States. Major nearby cities like Marietta and Decatur enhance its status as a central point in the region. Atlanta's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Atlanta is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and the World of Coca-Cola. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Piedmont Park to the bustling Buckhead district, known for its shopping and dining. Atlanta's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Southern comfort food to international cuisine.

Annual events such as the Atlanta Film Festival and the Atlanta Dogwood Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Atlanta's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Emory University and Georgia Tech contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in Atlanta is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the High Museum of Art are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Atlanta provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

Atlanta’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Falcons (NFL) and the Braves (MLB), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Atlanta include media, technology, and healthcare, with significant employers such as CNN and Emory Healthcare driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and the MARTA rail system, making commuting convenient. Atlanta's climate is characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters, making it ideal for a variety of outdoor activities throughout the year.

Pros and Cons of Living in Atlanta

PROS
  • Amenities

    An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.

  • Commute

    High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.

  • Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

CONS
  • Crime

    This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.

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What's it like Living in Atlanta?

Atlanta is a highly populated city located in the state of Georgia. The city has a population of 497,642 people. In Atlanta, there are 3,678 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Atlanta is mostly populated by White (40%) and Black or African American (50%) ethnic groups. Atlanta could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 33 years old is below the nation’s average. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Atlanta, only 34% of the population is married. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Atlanta your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 28 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Atlanta could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Georgia if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Atlanta, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, employment, housing and more.

Atlanta has a livability score of 82/100 and is ranked #5 in Georgia and #805 in the USA. Clearly, Atlanta is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Atlanta has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Atlanta ranks well for crime (B-), employment (B) and housing (A).

Atlanta has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Atlanta has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Georgia Aquarium, NEW World of Coca-Cola, and Fox Theatre.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Atlanta market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Atlanta. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Atlanta are affordable. Median real estate prices in Atlanta come in at $314,400, which is 106.3% higher than the Georgia average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Atlanta, the home price to income ratio is 4.9, which is 63.3% higher than the Georgia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Atlanta

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Compare Atlanta, GA Livability

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      Atlanta transportation information

      Statistic Atlanta Georgia National
      Average one way commute28min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work63.0%79.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.6%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit9.9%2.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.1%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.9%1.6%2.8%
      Working from home12.8%5.1%4.6%
      Source: The Atlanta, GA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).