Salary Needed to Live in Atlanta as a Retiree
A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $64,029/year to live comfortably in Atlanta, GA, including 5% savings.
Direct Answer
A retiree needs about $64,029/year to live comfortably in Atlanta, GA. The bare-minimum salary is $59,760/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 5% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,946.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,735/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,336/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$64,029
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$59,760
$4,980/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,735
1% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Atlanta
| Expense | Atlanta | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent | $1,283 | $1,448 | -11% |
| Groceries | $206 | $189 | +9% |
| Utilities | $185 | $183 | +1% |
| Transportation | $247 | $211 | +17% |
| Car Insurance | $193 | $223 | -13% |
| Health Insurance | $797 | $672 | +19% |
| Medicare Supplement | $214 | $200 | +7% |
| Prescription Drugs | $161 | $150 | +7% |
| Internet + Phone | $128 | $120 | +7% |
| Recreation & Social | $214 | $200 | +7% |
| Home Maintenance | $107 | $100 | +7% |
| Total Monthly | $3,735 | $3,696 | +1% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,735
Target savings (5%):$211/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,946
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$64,029
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,283
1-2BR Senior-Friendly rent is 34% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus GA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
5%
$211/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
107/100
Atlanta is close to the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby south Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br senior-friendly housing near $1,283/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $824/mo for persona-specific costs such as Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drugs.
- Use $59,760/year as the survival floor and $64,029/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Atlanta
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a retiree need in Atlanta?
A retiree needs approximately $64,029/year ($5,336/month gross) to live comfortably in Atlanta with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Atlanta?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Atlanta costs approximately $1,283/month, which is the largest single expense at 34% of the total budget.
Is Atlanta affordable for a retiree?
Atlanta is roughly average for retiree costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.