Metro Atlanta renters are struggling under the weight of rising housing costs, with nearly one-third now spending more than half of their income on rent, according to new Census data. That’s worse than the national average, making it even harder for residents to afford essentials like food and transportation—or save for homeownership. Meanwhile, metro Atlanta has lost over 230,000 affordable housing units since 2018, while rents above $1,500 have surged. Wages simply aren’t keeping pace, and the region is building far too little to meet demand.
With 1.8 million new residents expected by 2050, local leaders are working to address the crisis. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has set a goal of 20,000 affordable units by 2030, and counties like Gwinnett and DeKalb are launching initiatives to boost supply. But as housing costs continue to outpace incomes, the entire region must take urgent action to ensure that working families, seniors, and essential workers aren’t priced out of their communities.