November 14, 2025 - Atlanta Wire

Is Atlanta Still Affordable to Live In?

Atlanta Wire Staff 2 on November 14, 2025

Food prices are one of the biggest challenges for Atlanta households. A single person spends about $711 a month on groceries, while a family of four spends around $1,841. Everyday staples show the squeeze. A dozen eggs cost about $4, chicken breast is around $12 per kilogram, and apples average $5 per kilogram. Eating out adds another layer. A casual restaurant meal costs about $25, while a mid‑range dinner for two is closer to $100.

Families say they’re changing habits to cope. “We’ve cut back on eating out and started meal planning more carefully,” explained one Atlanta parent in a survey shared by Expatistan. The report shows food costs are now one of the biggest drivers of monthly budgets, especially for families with children.

Even with Atlanta’s median after‑tax salary of about $5,005, many households say they’re only just covering bills. Rising food costs mean less room for savings or discretionary spending.

Housing and Rent Push Costs Higher

Housing is another major factor in Atlanta’s affordability. Rent for a one‑bedroom apartment in the city center averages $1,900 per month, while outside the center it’s closer to $1,400. For families, a three‑bedroom apartment in the city center can cost $3,500 or more.

Is Atlanta Still Affordable to Live In (2)

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These numbers put Atlanta among the top 7% most expensive cities globally, according to LivingCost. While rent is lower than in cities like Seattle or New York, it’s still high enough to strain budgets when combined with food and utilities.

One renter told Atlanta Civic Circle, “I make decent money, but rent takes half my paycheck. There’s not much left for groceries or savings.” This reflects a broader affordability challenge across the city.

Utilities and Electricity Bills

Utility costs are another source of pressure. Georgia’s average residential electricity rate is 15.54¢ per kWh, slightly above the national average. For a family of four, rent and utilities together average about $2,480 per month.

Residents say bills are rising even without changes in usage. “My power bill jumped by $40 compared to last year, and I haven’t changed anything in my routine,” one Atlanta homeowner told Expatistan. Rising natural gas prices and seasonal demand are driving costs higher.

Families often try to cut back by adjusting thermostats or limiting appliance use, but many say the savings aren’t enough to offset rate increases.

Transportation Adds Daily Costs

Gasoline in Atlanta averages about $3.22 per gallon, slightly higher than the national average of $3.08. For commuters, that difference adds up quickly. A monthly MARTA public transit pass costs about $95, which can still be a significant expense for lower‑income households.

Drivers say they’ve noticed the pinch. “I spend almost $60 a week just to get to work and back,” said one commuter interviewed by LivingCost. Holiday travel and global oil prices are expected to keep fuel costs elevated.

Transportation choices often come down to convenience rather than cost, leaving many residents stuck with higher bills either way.

The Bigger Picture

When food, housing, utilities, and transportation are combined, the picture becomes clear. A family of four in Atlanta faces monthly living costs of about $5,770 excluding rent, while a single person spends about $3,250. With rent included, those numbers rise to $5,926 for families and $2,641 for individuals.

For households, the challenge isn’t just one category of spending. It’s the combination of groceries, rent, electricity, and gas all rising together. That leaves less flexibility to manage unexpected expenses or save for the future.

Inside Atlanta’s New Winnwood Housing Project and What It Means for Residents

Atlanta Wire Staff 2 on November 14, 2025

What The Winnwood Is and Why It Matters

The Winnwood is a restored 1931 apartment building in Midtown Atlanta that now provides 48 units of permanent supportive housing, designed for people who previously experienced homelessness. Permanent supportive housing refers to long-term, affordable homes paired with voluntary services like case management or behavioral-health support.

The building sits on West Peachtree Street, a corridor close to transit, groceries, and community resources. The location is intentional. It places residents in an area with everyday amenities instead of isolating them from the neighborhoods that offer opportunity.

During the ribbon-cutting, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens described the purpose of the project in clear terms. He explained that residents are being given “a key in their hand, a door that locks behind them,” highlighting the shift from temporary arrangements to actual stability. His words reflect a broader push to give people privacy, safety, and room to rebuild their routines.

How The Winnwood Was Restored

Before its renovation, the building was known as the Winnwood Apartments, a 1930s structure built in a Georgian Revival style. Preservation groups and city planners chose to restore its brick facade and architectural details rather than replace it.

The Atlanta Preservation Center notes that the building was designed by H. W. Nicholes & Sons, a pair of architects known for early-20th-century residential work. Their listing explains that the building once served middle-income tenants and later fell into disrepair before its rehabilitation brought it back into active use.

For many residents, the combination of restored architecture and modern upgrades provides not only shelter but dignity. Furnished units, updated appliances, and shared communal areas allow the building to function as a stable home rather than a temporary shelter.

What Residents Receive and How Support Works

Residents at The Winnwood have access to a range of support services that help them adjust to long-term housing. Permanent supportive housing blends living space with optional programs that assist with health, employment, and community integration.

Service providers work with residents through case management and behavioral-health partnerships. The city notes that these programs are built around the idea that stability improves when people have a consistent place to live while they access services at their own pace.

During the opening ceremony, one partner described the project’s goal clearly. A representative shared that The Winnwood gives residents the chance “to build a life in a safe place that treats them with respect,” emphasizing that housing is not the end of the journey but the starting point for rebuilding daily life (The Atlanta Voice).

Why Supportive Housing Fits Into Atlanta’s Current Strategy

The Winnwood is part of the larger Rapid Housing initiative supported by the City of Atlanta. It marks the fifth project completed under this program, which aims to expand long-term housing options across the city.

Homelessness in Atlanta includes people facing chronic issues, people who recently lost housing, and families impacted by rising rents. Supportive housing helps address the needs of those who have experienced the longest periods without stable shelter.

City officials say the aim is not only to increase the number of available units but to ensure that those units are located near transit, health services, and employment centers. This approach strengthens the chance that residents can maintain housing over time. The city explained that each unit at The Winnwood represents a “step toward long-term stability” for people who have faced repeated displacement.

What The Winnwood Means for Midtown and Beyond

Midtown is often associated with higher property values, new construction, and major employers. Placing supportive housing within this environment shows that affordable housing can be integrated into busy, high-profile neighborhoods.

The Atlanta Voice reported that the building’s proximity to MARTA, grocery stores, and health services can help reduce everyday obstacles for residents. The publication noted that leaders see The Winnwood as a “visible example of housing people where resources actually exist” (The Atlanta Voice).

By renovating historic units instead of building new structures on the outskirts of the city, the project reflects a shift toward inclusive development. This approach places people inside the flow of city life rather than separating them from it.

How This Shapes Atlanta’s Housing Efforts Going Forward

Housing officials and nonprofits will watch The Winnwood closely. Projects like this show how old buildings can be reused in ways that support residents and reduce costs. They also show how partnerships between the city, preservation groups, and nonprofit service providers can create stable homes for people who’ve been pushed out of the housing market.

The city’s broader homelessness strategy continues through additional permanent supportive housing developments and shelter expansions. The Winnwood is not presented as a complete solution, but as one part of a long-term response to rising housing needs.

As Mayor Dickens said during the opening, The Winnwood represents “a beginning for people who need a stable place to land”. That idea shapes how Atlanta relates to housing access: one project at a time, with an emphasis on stability, respect, and integration into the community.