Georgia is a complete package with scenic landscapes, bustling cities, and coastal beaches. It is one of the most beautiful and peaceful states in the US. Often called the peach state, Georgia is affordable with quality living. It is home to 10.91 million people and a favorite state for relocation in the wake of inflation and rising living costs. Georgia with all it offers is 10% cheaper than the national average. Sounds interesting? Let's explore more about living costs in Georgia in 2024.
Remember, living costs vary from person to person due to a hundred factors. The average living costs only provide an idea of what to expect. Your income and lifestyle are two basic determinants of your expenses. Some people are affluent and would spend like there's no tomorrow while others will always stick to a budget. So, your living costs will depend on where you fit. This blog is to provide you with a fair insight into average living costs in Georgia.
What are the Average Living Costs in Georgia
To your surprise, Georgia ranks 5th cheapest state in the US. It has affordable living costs and offers a quality living. The Peach State has ample opportunities, modern infrastructure, sub-tropical weather, and beaches! The average living costs of a single individual are $43,482 per year. It can vary for different parts of the state because Georgia is a mix of urban centers and rural settings. An advanced city like Atlanta may be costlier than smaller cities like Savannah and Augusta.
The living costs comprise various expenses like housing, utilities, food, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses. These would vary in different regions and cities in Georgia but will be around the average figure. Other variable factors determining living expenses are lifestyle, spending patterns, income, and family size. Let's see how the average living costs in Georgia break down. We will then explore key expenses for a better understanding:
|
Expense Type |
Average Cost Per Person |
|
Housing and Utilities |
$7,495 |
|
Health Care |
$6,595 |
|
Food and Beverages |
$3,699 |
|
Gas and Energy Goods |
$1,212 |
|
All Other Personal Expenses |
$24,481 |
Your expenses in Georgia can be way less or higher than these averages. These figures represent median spending by individuals. For instance, if you like eating out a lot then the food and beverages expense will rise. At the same, it can be possible that you'll have lower personal expenses.
Feeling a bit confused? We will further review the average of each of these costs to help you paint a clear picture of your expected expenses in Georgia. You will be able to see how much you would spend living in the southeastern state.
Explore Various Living Expenses in Georgia in 2024
You spend money on housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare no matter where you live. The costs can be high or low depending on your location and other factors. The same goes for taxes and miscellaneous expenses. For instance, restaurants in Hollywood will be more expensive than food carts on your nearest avenue. Georgia is considered affordable in terms of living costs. Let's see if it is so!
Housing and Rent
Housing costs in Georgia depend on the location and region. The properties in cities are more expensive than the ones in the suburbs. There is adequate availability of houses in the state and demand is gradually increasing. You can buy a decent house in Georgia for about $301,978 on average. The median price for a house in the US is $359,000, which means houses in the peach state are quite inexpensive.
Renting is a lucrative option for people moving to Georgia due to moderate rents. A two-bed apartment has a monthly rent of $1,086 which is little over a grand. The national average is around $1,317 which is again higher than Georgia. If we do not consider property size the median rent that Georgia residents pay is about $1,153.
Here’s a comparison of average housing costs in popular cities of Georgia:
|
Georgia City |
Typical Home Price |
|
Atlanta |
$357,677 |
|
Augusta |
$206,172 |
|
Savannah |
$288,109 |
|
Columbus |
$166,902 |
Utility Expenses
Utility costs are moderate in Georgia, you can expect to pay a little over $400 monthly. It will include your electric bill, water, gas, and internet expenses. Electricity costs are a major contributing factor to utility expenses. Although electric rates are 18% lower than the national average, electric bills amount to $2,318 annually. The reason for high bills is excess power usage and variation in rates during peak seasons like summer.
|
Utility Type |
Per Month Cost |
|
Electricity |
$134 |
|
Gas |
$141 |
|
Cable & Internet |
$108 |
|
Water |
$28 |
Grocery Expenses
There are enough peaches in Georgia to eat a lifetime, you can have them to save on grocery expenses. But groceries aren't very expensive in Georgia, the average monthly expense is around $308. The costs are highly dependent on your location and vary significantly, a gallon of milk in Augusta is for $1.78 only, and in Atlanta, it's 4.35$. We can't say Georgia is cheap when it comes to grocery expenses, it's fairly affordable.
Transportation Expenses
Apart from cities, Georgia has dispersed locations that require traveling. The average annual transportation expenses for a family of five are about $15,530. It includes public transport costs, personal vehicle maintenance, and gasoline charges based on median travel distance. The transport expenses are a bit on the higher side but they're highly variable. The gasoline prices in Georgia are usually less than the national average.
Taxes
Taxes in Georgia are not the lowest in the US but are moderate. The state has a flat income tax rate of 5.49% and a 4% sales tax. If we compare taxes in Georgia with other states, the highest tax rate in South Carolina is 6.5%, and in California, it is 13.3%. If you're planning to move to Georgia, you shouldn't worry about high taxes. Additionally, Georgia has many tax-free and cost-free natural wonders to behold.
How to Save on Living Costs in Georgia
You can reduce living costs and save money without changing too many things. Most people think saving is difficult and it affects the lifestyle. However, it's not true, you can live a comfortable life within your budget with some smart moves.
Financial Management
The first step to saving on living costs is learning effective financial management. You should know how to make a budget and stick to it. The art of budgeting is not about leaving good things for the sake of savings, it just keeps you from overspending.
Choosing Better Alternatives
There are always alternatives to things that you can't afford. For instance, a house in Atlanta may cost higher but the same house in Savannah could be available for less. The same goes for grocery shopping, you would see brands charging high prices and local products available at cheap rates and fulfilling the same need.
Affordable Locations
You should move to affordable locations if costs are your primary consideration. City life may be attractive but it's costly. Georgia has the best cities with good amenities and very affordable living costs. You should explore options and choose the one that best suits your desires.
Use Solar Generator Kits to Reduce Electric Bills
Solar generator kits are a game changer when it comes to reducing electric bills. It's like a one-time investment to access free energy. A state like Georgia with a subtropical climate has enough sunlight hours to power your entire house. All you need is an efficient solar generator kit to harness solar power and keep your home running on clean energy.
BLUETTI produces hi-tech solar generator kits and it's one of the best solar technology brands in the US. You can install a high-performance BLUETTI solar generator kit to unleash the real solar potential. Here are a few expert-recommended solar kits that you can buy right away!
BLUETTI AC300+B300 Home Battery Backup
The BLUETTI AC300+B300 Home Battery Backup is the ultimate solution to your electric bills. It can power your entire house with solar energy without needing to connect to a grid supply. The solar generator has an expandable capacity of 3,072Wh to 12,288Wh. You can run all your appliances without worry. The advanced BLUETTI LiFePO4 battery technology helps ensure efficient energy storage for 24/7 use. The battery packs are durable and highly efficient with up to 3500+ life cycles lasting for about 10 years.
The solar kit supports 5400W dual charging to recharge the batteries in no time. It also has a multi-recharge facility for enhanced reliability. You can control and monitor the system through the smart BLUETTI mobile app. The power station connects with your phone via Bluetooth and WiFi. The app has a user-interactive power management system with customization options. You can combine the power station with BLUETTI solar panels.
BLUETTI AC200MAX + 3*PV200 Solar Generator Kit
The BLUETTI AC200MAX + 3*PV200 Solar Generator Kit is a complete package that can help you reduce electric costs. You can use it during peak hours and save on electricity bills. The solar generator kit has an expandable capacity of 2,048Wh to 8,192Wh. It stores energy using LiFePO4 battery technology which has remarkable efficiency. The power station supports fast recharging with dual AC+Solar charging input of 1400W Max. You can control and monitor the solar generator kit remotely with a smart mobile application.
The solar generator kit comes with BLUETTI PV200 solar panels that provide solar input of 600W to recharge the battery packs and run appliances. You can increase the input up to 900 W and reduce reliance on grid supply. The solar panels are efficient with a high conversion rate, the cells are monocrystalline with an ETFE coating. The BLUETTI solar panels stand out with high durability and modular design. You can fold the panels for easy storage, they have a built-in kickstand and angle adjustment option.
Final Thoughts
That was all about living costs in Georgia. The state is no doubt a beautiful place to live in the US. Its population is growing fast, especially in cities like Atlanta where amenities are extraordinary. Hopefully, the blog was informational and helpful in learning about living costs. You can easily predict your living expenses, compare them, and make a sound decision.
