5 Pros and Cons of Living in Georgia

Considering a move to Georgia? If the Peach State is calling your name, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons first. Whether you’re after mild winters and endless hours of sunshine or the best breweries, there’s a lot to learn.

In this guide, we cover the pros and cons of Georgia and what you should know about the job market, cost of living, weather, crime rates, and public schools.

Note: We used internal Apartment List data and cross-referenced with neighborhood data from Rent.com to give you the most accurate snapshot of rents across Georgia as of September 2025. Crime grades are from CrimeGrade.org, and school ratings are from Niche.com.

Key Insights

• Georgia’s statewide average rent sits at $1,867 as of September 2025.
• Average rents are higher in cities like Atlanta, which stands at $2,095 citywide across all rental units, and areas like Macon, GA, offer lower rent averages with a one-bedroom apartment for $954 per month and a two-bedroom apartment for $1,165.
• Georgia’s cost of living is 5.5% lower than the national average.
• The state has an overall crime grade of B-.
• Top-rated school districts such as Buford City Schools and Oconee County Schools.

Quick Facts About Georgia

Pros & Cons of Living in Georgia

1. Pro: Mild Winters and 200 Days of Sunshine

If skipping winter is your idea of a good time, then a move to Georgia may be in the cards. The state gets around 200 days of sunshine per year, and pairing it with the national and state parks means there are endless opportunities for outdoor exploration.

Mild winter temps sit at a low of 50°F and a high of 60°F, meaning a sweatshirt, jeans, and a jacket are often enough to keep you warm. If you’re hitting the mountains, you should definitely bundle up, though, and beachside retreats also get quite windy.

2. Con: Bugs, Bugs, Bugs

Hate bugs? Then you may want to avoid the Peach State, which is notorious for small critters that bite, sting, scratch, or are just an all-out nuisance. They’re particularly annoying during the summer months, as this is when they’re the most active.

What bugs will you have to contend with in Georgia? Fire ants, roaches, mosquitoes, termites, spiders, rats and mice, fleas, ticks, wasps, and silverfish will be your new roommates.

3. Pro: Endless Outdoor Recreation

From the Appalachian Trail to smaller state parks like Clouland Canyon State Park and Tallulah George State Park, the state has many must-visit open-air activities. Georgia residents have 47 state parks and 12 national parks to choose from, meaning even dedicated outdoor enthusiasts will always find somewhere new to visit.

Nature lovers' top recommendations include Wormsloe Historic Site, Stone Mountain Park, Amicalola Falls State Park, and Tallulah Gorge State Park.

4. Con: Heat, Humidity, & Allergic Reactions

For many, the oppressive heat and humidity are too much. Spring and fall are warm, but summer is when things really heat up and the humidity kicks in. Normal summer temps average a low of 80°F and a high of 95°F, making air conditioning a must-have, especially when you layer in the humidity.

Allergies are another headache to deal with, particularly in spring from February to May. Common allergens in Georgia include tree pollens, grass pollens, and ragweed.

5. Pro: Breweries, Art Scene, and Southern Food

Great beer and Southern food go hand in hand in Georgia. Whether you’re more interested in local or microbreweries, the state has many breweries (as well as wineries and distilleries). A few of the top-rated breweries in the state, according to Google Maps, include Debellation Brewing Co., Omaha Brewing Company, and Two Tides Brewing Co.

Georgia’s top Southern food includes shrimp and grits, fried chicken, barbecue, peaches, and pie. After eating all the good Southern cooking, you can walk it off by strolling through the Arts districts in cities like Savannah and Atlanta.

Is Georgia a Good Place to Live?

Yes, Georgia is an excellent option for renters who want an affordable cost of living with the right blend of nature, sunshine, and good eats.

One-bedroom apartments have a median price of $1,232, which is in line with the U.S. national median of $1,230. Two-bedrooms in Georgia have a median monthly rent of $1,240, which is 10.47% less than the national median of $1,385.

Emerging job opportunities, 200 days of sun for outdoor recreation, lower cost of living, and delicious Southern food make Georgia a draw for many.

What’s It Like Living in Georgia?

Georgia is an appealing state for many, including those looking for a place to set down roots to raise a family or for retirement. Retirees find the state attractive due to nice tax breaks, such as tax exclusions on retirement income, and Georgia also doesn’t tax Social Security benefits.

Visit the Georgia Aquarium, hit the streets of Savannah for 18th and 19th-century architecture, have a beach day along the coast, or take the family to the Atlanta Zoo for the day. Pair any of these activities with a stop at a local Southern food restaurant or brewery, and you’ll be in for a very “Georgia” day.

What’s the Culture Like in Georgia?

Georgia is well-known for its Southern roots, where hospitality and good manners reign supreme. With a rich cultural history (some good, some bad), it's especially tied to the Antebellum South when farmers were toiling their fields and living on plantations through the unpaid labor of African Americans.

Today, Georgia is still known for its agriculture, but is also an emerging business and entertainment hub. The film industry calls Georgia the “Hollywood of the South,” and the diverse landscape and incredible outdoors make it an appealing place to live.

What’s the Cost of Living in Georgia?

MIT's Living Wage Calculator estimates that an individual must earn $49,790 before taxes to live in Georgia. Housing accounts for the biggest expense at $15,580, with transportation costs close behind at $10,300.

The same data shows that households with two adults and two children should earn at least $85,241 before taxes.

Best Places estimates living in Georgia to be 5.5% less expensive than the U.S. national average, but big cities like Atlanta are 13.1% more expensive than the national average.

As of the 2023 Census survey, the median income in Georgia $74,632, meaning many families can afford a comfortable lifestyle.

How Is the Job Market in Georgia?

The Georgia Department of Labor predicts the total employment in Georgia to grow to over 5.2 million in 2028, which is a rise of 11.8% from the level in 2018. Key industries include manufacturing, agriculture, aerospace, logistics, cybersecurity, and automotive. Major employers include Delta Airlines, The Home Depot, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Georgia’s “Hot Careers to 2032” data shows job growth in professions including accountants/auditors, management analysts, market research, software developers, project management specialists, actors, and medical & health services managers.

How Safe Is Georgia?

Georgia has an overall crime grade of B-, with cities such as Atlanta scoring a C and towns like Holly Springs earning an A- crime grade.

Data from Georgia’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program highlights the 2024 Crime Index Offense, which shows that one violent crime occurs once every 15 minutes and 44 seconds, and for non-violent crimes, one every 3 minutes and 30 seconds.

In 2024, larceny-theft was the highest reported crime with 126,572 incidents, the next highest being aggravated assault with 24,849 incidents.

Georgia’s Reported Crime Index - 2024:

• Murder: 730
• Rape: 3,353
• Robbery: 4,166
• Aggravated Assault: 24,849
• Burglary: 21,842
• Larceny - Theft: 126,572
• Motor Vehicle Theft: 23,103
• Arson: 541
• Human Trafficking: 316

In 2024, six law enforcement officers died in the line of duty, and 1,076 assaults on officers were reported.

What Are Schools Like in Georgia?

Across the state of Georgia, the selection of schools varies greatly. Before selecting a new city, we highly recommend parents check out school ratings on sites like Niche.com to learn more about a district. Some of the state's top-rated school districts include Buford City Schools, Oconee County Schools, and Forsyth County Schools.

These districts tick all the boxes and offer students an A+ or A-rated level of academics, clubs, teachers, college prep, diversity, and administration.

Universities like Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, and the University of Georgia attract college students from outside Georgia, and even globally.

Is Georgia a Good Place to Raise a Family?

Georgia has many family-friendly cities and towns with access to the great outdoors and top-rated public and private schools. Find top schools in Buford, Watkinsville, and Cumming, Georgia.

Other family-friendly features include the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Zoo Atlanta.

What Are Some Popular Cities in Georgia?

Georgia has many cities that suit different lifestyles. Here’s a look at average rent prices in some of the most popular cities:

Is Living in Georgia Right for You?

There are many pros and cons to living in Georgia, but the state is most suitable for those who want a lower cost of living (higher in cities like Atlanta), access to national and state parks, and hot, humid weather.

If you’re looking for a new rental unit in the Peach State, you can take Apartment List’s personalized quiz to find your perfect match.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Georgia

What are the downsides of living in Georgia?

Two of the biggest drawbacks of living in Georgia are the weather and bugs.

Why are people moving to Georgia?

People are moving to Georgia for new job opportunities, more affordable living costs, and the milder climate (particularly in the winter months).

What are the biggest risks of living in Georgia?

One of the biggest risk factors of living in Georgia is the hot, humid climate, which may be unsafe for certain residents, such as the young and older adults. The state is also prone to tornadoes and hurricanes, and has a high number of insects.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Georgia?

You should earn at least $49,790 per year (before taxes) to live comfortably in Georgia, according to MIT's Living Wage Calculator.