Apartments for rent in Atlanta, GA

Getting to Know Atlanta

The options for Atlanta apartments are seemingly endless! What else would you expect in a city with top-ranking higher education institutions, a diverse and growing economy, and a cultural arts community that rivals other major cities across the country? Whether you rent an apartment downtown or in an outlying area, you're well within reach of numerous local attractions and favorite local spots. Read on to explore this southern city affectionately known as Hotlanta and the ATL.

Atlanta Attractions and Culture

The renowned Georgia Aquarium is one of the world's largest, and a popular excursion among locals and tourists. Nearby, check out the iconic World of Coca-Cola, where you can take a tour, get a history lesson, and sample more than 100 different beverages. If you prefer art, take a trip to the High Museum of Art in Midtown Atlanta, or try the Fox Theatre for live performances.

Did You Know?

As a newcomer to the city, some parts of its geography may be confusing. The Perimeter is Interstate 285, which loops around the city. You'll often hear someone referring to a place as inside the perimeter (ITP) or outside the perimeter (OTP). 

Another confusing part is that almost everything is named Peachtree. According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, there are 71 streets with "Peachtree" in the name, such as Peachtree Road, Peachtree Street, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, and Peachtree Battle Avenue, to name just four. Pay very close attention to your direction to make sure you're really on the right street. 

Best Places to Live in Atlanta

Here are our picks for the best places to live in Atlanta:

• Downtown: Downtown Atlanta living puts you near Centennial Olympic Park, the epicenter for delicious dining and electrifying entertainment.
• Midtown: Fast-paced and fun, the Midtown area guarantees you'll be on the go from sunup to sundown thanks to walkable destinations like Piedmont Park and the High Museum of Art.
• Buckhead: This Uptown neighborhood straddles Peachtree Street, an energetic thoroughfare dotted with trendy restaurants, cozy pubs and upscale bars.
• Eastside: From the public parks and gardens of Inman Park to the charming boutiques and pubs of the Virginia-Highland area, the Eastside offers diversity.
• Westside: For city-dwellers looking for an industrial feel, the Westside delivers with warehouses turned shops, galleries, restaurants and lofts.

No matter where you decide to dig in, whether you score an industrial loft in the Westside or an eclectic apartment in Midtown Atlanta, you'll be impressed by this city's confluence of Southern heritage and modern flair.  

Atlanta Transportation 

Atlanta's public transportation system (MARTA) runs from the airport to Buckhead and beyond, plus east and west through the city's bustling neighborhoods. If you're milling about in the convention and entertainment district, you can catch a lift to the Sweet Auburn area using Atlanta's newest mode of transportation, the Atlanta Streetcar, which runs on a 2.7-mile loop.

Atlanta Business and Industry

If you've completed school and are now entering the workforce, you'll be pleased with Atlanta's growing economy and opportunity. Several Fortune 500 companies call Atlanta home, including Delta Airlines, The Coca-Cola Company and The Home Depot. There's also a growing movie and TV industry in Atlanta, with major productions including The Walking Dead and Marvel movies being filmed at Pinewood Studios and many other locations around the city, in addition to Turner properties such as CNN and Cartoon Network that have been based in Atlanta for decades. 

Fun Things to Do in Atlanta: Festivals and Events

Popular local events like Atlanta's Dogwood Festival attract long-time residents and visitors alike. Dogwood Festival artists and exhibitors come from all across the southern region to showcase their work. During the festival, the beautiful Piedmont Park turns into an outdoor, open-air art market featuring live music and food stands from local restaurants. Once you've moved in to your apartment in Atlanta, you can enjoy everything from festivals and the 10K AJC Peachtree Road Race to the summer outdoor movie series, Screen on the Green.

Free Things to Do in Atlanta

Maybe you don't want to spend money exploring the city. Start with Centennial Olympic Park, home to the Fountain of Rings water feature that provides fun for kids and a cooling-off spot for park joggers. If you want to stay out of the water, it's a mesmerizing backdrop for picnics in the park and the centerpiece for many outdoor events in Atlanta. For a feast for the eyes, head to Castleberry Hill in the Warehouse District and take the free guided tour of art studios and galleries.

Sports around the City

The ATL is famous for spectator sports, including MLB's Atlanta Braves at the new SunTrust Park, about 10 miles from downtown Atlanta. Bobby Dodd Stadium, located downtown, is home to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team. Not far away is Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and Major League Soccer's Atlanta United, a recent and very popular addition to the city's sports scene.

Family Fun in Atlanta

For a fun family outing, check out Zoo Atlanta, featuring two playgrounds and more than 1,500 animals, including giant pandas. For even more interactive fun, plan an afternoon at Imagine It! Children's Museum of Atlanta, geared toward kids 8 and younger with exhibits designed to ignite creativity in children and adults alike.

Higher Education

You can find an apartment for rent near one of Atlanta's premier colleges and universities. Pursue advanced education in engineering at Georgia Tech, just five minutes north of downtown Atlanta or study business in one of the top-rated programs in the nation at Emory University's Goizueta Business School. Spelman College and Georgia State University offer residents of Atlanta great opportunities for education in a wide variety of disciplines.

Outdoor Living

This quintessentially southern metropolis comprises a number of great parks, including Piedmont Park, where you can take your pooch for a stroll, satisfy your competitive edge on the volleyball court or fill your grocery tote with fresh products at the Green Market. There are also many hiking trails along the Chattahoochee River, meaning you don't even need to go outside the perimeter to spend some time in the outdoors. 

Fun Day Trips from Atlanta

When you need to get away, pack your swimsuit and golf clubs and head four hours east to beautiful Hilton Head Island, SC. If cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriage tours are more your speed, set your sights on Savannah, GA, just three-and-a-half hours east of Atlanta.

Frequently Asked Questions About Atlanta

What is Atlanta most known for?

Atlanta is often referred to as the capital of the South and is well-known for its southern hospitality, hot weather, sports teams (namely the Braves, Falcons and Hawks), diverse musical history and being the birthplace of Coca-Cola and Martin Luther King Jr. Atlanta is also home to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CNN, Delta Airlines, The Home Depot, Marvel (Pinewood) Studios and the world's busiest airport (Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport). The city is often called Hotlanta, the ATL or the Big Peach.

Is Atlanta a growing city?

According to 2018 U.S. census figures, the Atlanta metro area has approximately 5,949,951 residents, 1.9 percent more than the prior year, giving it the fourth-largest population increase in the country that year.

What are some interesting facts about Atlanta?

Over the last decade, the film industry in Atlanta has exploded. There are now more movies shot in Georgia than California (as of 2017). Atlanta also has a large hip hop music scene, with artists such as Ludacris, Childish Gambino and Outkast coming from or building a music career in Atlanta. Another interesting fact, Atlanta has the highest percentage of urban tree cover of all major U.S. cities.

Is Atlanta a safe city to live in?

WalletHub ranked Atlanta 125 out of 182 cities in the U.S. in its safest cities in America report . The biggest factor in this is financial insecurity, though it was also below average in home and community safety.

Does Atlanta have good schools?

According to U.S. News and World Report , Atlanta schools score slightly lower than those in other metro areas of about the same size. It does, however, have a number of really strong high schools, making its list of best in the country, and two universities ( Emory and Georgia Tech ) that make its Best Colleges ranking.

What is Atlanta like for families?

In their analysis of best cities to raise a family , WalletHub put Atlanta right in the middle of the 182 cities it reviewed. The city scored well in family fun and affordability, while education received an average ranking.

What are some fun things to do in Atlanta?

If you're looking to explore local attractions, the World of Coke, Georgia Aquarium (largest in the country), College Football Hall of Fame, CNN Studios, Carter Presidential Center and MLK Center are all close to each other in or near downtown Atlanta. If you're looking for something a little less touristy, check out the Krog Street or Ponce City Markets, which are right next to the BeltLine, an enormous urban bike and walk trail. If you're into the outdoors, there are a surprising number of hiking trails and parks within close reach of the city core, letting you walk, ride or relax in nature with the city skyline still visible on the horizon.

How expensive is it in Atlanta?

According to the Council for Community and Economic Research , Atlanta is just barely (1.8 percent) above the nationwide average cost of living.

What is the average cost of rent in Atlanta?

The average rent of a studio apartment in Atlanta is $1,404 per month, up 2.9 percent from 2018. For a one-bedroom apartment, it's $1,575 per month, up 5.3 percent from 2018. For a two-bedroom apartment, the average rent is $2,287per month, up 12 percent from 2018.

How much do utilities cost in Atlanta?

According to the Council for Community and Economic Research , the average electric bill in Atlanta is $128 per month. Due to summer heat, expect this to vary a lot by time of year.

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Atlanta?

If price is a big concern, Browns Mill Park , Harland Terrace , Fort Valley , Campbellton Road and Bolton all have an average 1-bedroom rent under $800 a month, while Riverside , Southside , Embry Hills , West Highlands and Garden Hills cost $1,000 a month or less on average.

What are the best neighborhoods in Atlanta?

A: Old Fourth Ward , Poncey-Highland , Inman Park and Midtown are some of the most attractive (and most expensive) in the city. If you're looking for somewhere close to big employers, Buckhead and Lenox are great places to live.

What do I need to know about moving to Atlanta?

Atlanta is big. The city of Atlanta itself has about a half-million residents, but the metro area is physically larger than the state of Massachusetts and contains nearly six million people. Most of what's considered the city lies inside of I-285, and whether you want to live inside the perimeter or outside the perimeter (ITP and OTP, respectively) is a big question you'll have to answer. The traffic is kind of crazy, drawing the dubious distinction of being frequently compared to Los Angeles in recent years. Everything seems to be named Peachtree. There are 71 roads in the area with "Peachtree" in the name and many landmarks with "peach" in the name, so double check your directions to make sure you're headed to the right place. As a last note, if you like Pepsi, you'll be hard-pressed to find it in most restaurants. Coke has the Atlanta market cornered.

Do I need a car to live in Atlanta?

You most likely will need a car. There are good public transportation options (including MARTA), but not enough to satisfy all of Atlanta's chaotic sprawl and geographic challenges (hills, forests, lakes and rivers). It's also not a bike-friendly city, with very few bike lanes to be found.

What's the weather like in Atlanta?

The summer is long, hot, humid and quite sunny. Winters tend to be cool but not cold. Spring and fall are a little warm, and rainfall is spread relatively evenly throughout the year.