The city of Atlanta is a metropolis with a diverse economy and culture. It serves as home to more than 18 Fortune 500 companies, including The Home Depot, UPS, The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, The Southern Company, NCR Corporation and First Data; more than 10 Fortune 1000 companies; and the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It was also host to the 1996 Olympics. With so much happening, it is still one of the most affordable places to live in the United States.

A low cost of living has created the perfect atmosphere for Atlantans to get more for spending less. According to NerdWallet, Atlanta is one of America’s most affordable cities, coming in at number 76 out of 100. KNOWAtlanta magazine also breaks down why living in Atlanta is cheaper than other big cities. Here, residents can save on everything from a box of cereal to a movie ticket. Groceries average $106, and the cost of parking per month is around $98. These essentials are much less than the average of $149 for groceries and $725 for parking in New York. Plus, a $50,000 salary in Atlanta is equivalent to earning more than $100,000 in New York! Getting more for the money also translates to home buying as well. With the average home price at $245,000 and the average rental rate at $962 per month, it’s much better to buy a home than to rent. For those looking to purchase right outside of Atlanta in the metropolitan area, , a potential buyer can find homes from the low $100,000s into the millions. Homes in many of the most popular areas in and around the city are offered at a tremendous value, and new home construction continues to boom. This trend ensures that the market has a great variety of homes to choose from. For information on the new home communities we’ve written about, please click here.