Is Your Salary Enough for Atlanta?
Is $65,000 a good salary in Atlanta? The median household income here is roughly $65,000. Adjusted for Atlanta's Cost of Living Index (~120), your $65,000 has the purchasing power of $54,167 in a standard US city. This places you squarely in the Atlanta middle class income bracket.
Housing Affordability
Housing is the biggest expense. Financial experts recommend spending max 30% of net pay on rent. With a typical take-home pay, you can comfortably afford $1,219/mo. The average rent in Atlanta is roughly $2,100, so you may need to adjust expectations.
Hourly Rate & Checks
Many Atlanta residents prefer to think in hourly terms. A $65,000 salary breaks down to $31.25/hr (based on 2,080 hours) or roughly $2,500/check bi-weekly in Georgia.
The Real Tax Bite
Where does the money go? In Georgia, you will pay roughly $3,569 in state income taxes on a $65,000 salary. Combined with Federal and FICA, you keep approximately 75% of your gross pay.
Georgia vs. Tax-Free States
How does this compare? Earning $65,000 in Atlanta is equivalent to earning roughly $61,432 in a tax-free state like Florida, due to Georgia's Flat tax structure.