With inflation, housing costs, and child care expenses continuing to put pressure on family budgets, new data reveals just how much income Georgia residents need to live comfortably in today’s economy. According to recent findings, a single working adult must earn $96,886 per year — or $46.58 per hour — to maintain a modest but comfortable standard of living in the state.
The analysis, based on updated cost-of-living metrics including housing, healthcare, food, transportation, taxes, and emergency savings, paints a sobering picture of economic realities across Georgia.
Single Adults Need Nearly $100K Annually
While Georgia remains more affordable than many coastal states, the benchmark salary of $96,886 for a single adult reflects significant increases in basic expenses over the past few years. This figure assumes the individual is responsible for their own rent, healthcare, and living costs without dependents — and includes savings for emergencies or retirement, a factor often excluded in minimum wage discussions.
Families Face Even Higher Costs
For a household with two working adults and two children, the required annual income jumps to $212,826, or just over $106,400 per adult. This reflects the added burden of child care, larger housing requirements, and increased health insurance premiums. It also underscores the economic pressures faced by middle-class families who are not typically eligible for government subsidies but still feel squeezed by rising costs.
What’s Driving the Numbers?
Housing is the single largest cost driver, especially in metro areas like Atlanta, Savannah, and Augusta. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Atlanta now hovers around $2,000 per month, and homeownership is increasingly out of reach for many first-time buyers.
Health insurance, transportation (particularly for rural Georgians who commute long distances), and child care also contribute to the rising income thresholds needed to live securely. According to a 2024 report from the Economic Policy Institute, child care for two young children in Georgia can cost upwards of $20,000 per year — exceeding the price of in-state college tuition.
The Wage Gap and Policy Implications
Despite the cost of living surging, Georgia’s current minimum wage remains at the federal level of $7.25 per hour — a stark contrast to the $46.58 per hour needed for a single adult to live comfortably. This growing wage gap has sparked debate among policymakers and advocates who argue that working full-time should provide the means for basic economic security.
Calls for increased access to affordable housing, expanded child care tax credits, and living wage policies have gained momentum in response to these findings.
Georgia in the National Context
While Georgia remains more affordable than states like California and New York, it is no longer considered a low-cost haven. A growing population, limited housing inventory, and urban development have shifted the state’s affordability index. For remote workers and retirees considering relocation to the Peach State, these numbers offer critical insight into what’s required to maintain a sustainable lifestyle.
As Georgians continue to navigate rising expenses and wage stagnation, the new data serves as a stark reminder of the gap between income and affordability — and a prompt for ongoing economic and legislative conversations in communities across the state.