Moving to Georgia: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to Georgia, you’re not alone. The Peach State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Atlanta and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about Georgia, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to Georgia to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in Georgia
Like any big move, relocating to Georgia comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Peach State to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in GA
- ✓Ample economic opportunity
- ✓Beautiful landscapes
- ✓Bountiful recreational opportunities
- ✓Pleasant weather
- ✓Home of atlanta
Cons of living in GA
- ✖Hot humid summers
- ✖Pollen
- ✖Insects
- ✖High crime rate
- ✖Poor healthcare
Things to do in Georgia
Whether you’re moving to Georgia work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, Georgia has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in Georgia
- Georgia Aquarium
- Forsyth Park
- National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center
- Stone Mountain Park
- Jekyll Island
- Okefenokee Swamp
- Sea Island Golf Course
- Chattahoochee Oconee National Forests
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
- Atlanta Botanical Garden
Museums in Georgia
- Tybee Island Light Station And Museum
- Augusta Canal Discovery Center
- National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center
- St. Simons Lighthouse Museum
- Hay House
- Southeastern Railway Museum
- Augusta Museum of History
- Biblical History Center
- The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House
- National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Parks in Georgia
- Amicalola Falls State Park
- Chattahoochee Bend State Park
- Cloudland Canyon State Park
- F.D. Roosevelt State Park
- Fort Yargo State Park
- Vogel State Park
- Red Top Mountain State Park
- Panola Mountain State Park
- Black Rock Mountain State Park
- High Falls State Park
Fun facts about Georgia
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about Georgia, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- Cordele claims to be the watermelon capital of the world.
- The annual Masters Golf Tournament is played at the Augusta National in Augusta every first week of April.
- Georgia is often called the Empire State of the South and is also known as the Peach State and Cracker State.
- In 1828 Auraria, near the city of Dahlongea, was the site of the first Gold Rush in America.
- Coca-Cola was invented in May 1886 by Dr. John S. Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia. The name “Coca-Cola” was suggested by Dr. Pemberton’s bookkeeper, Frank Robinson. He penned the name Coca-Cola in the flowing script that is famous today. Coca-Cola was first sold at a soda fountain in Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta by Willis Venable.
- Berry College in Rome has the world’s largest college campus.
- The Little White House in Warm Springs was the recuperative home of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- In 1942 Jekyll Island was a private resort sold to the state by the owners, a group of millionaires.
- Providence Canyon State Park, near Lumpkin, is known as the Little Grand Canyon of Georgia.
- The Cherokee rose is the official state flower, the live oak the official tree; and the brown thrasher the official bird.
- United States Highway 27 runs the length of Georgia and is known as Martha Berry Highway, named after a pioneer educator.
- Marshall Forest in Rome is the only natural forest within a city limits in the United States.
Georgia population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to Georgia, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Peach State.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in Georgia, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | Georgia |
|---|---|
| Population | 11,029,227 |
| Female | 51.3% |
| Male | 48.7% |
| College graduation rate | 34.63% |
| Political leaning | Democrat 51-49 |
| Crime index | 20.58 |
Georgia weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether Georgia is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if Georgia aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | Georgia |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 90ºF |
| Winter low | 33ºF |
| Annual rain | 50″ |
| Annual snow | 1″ |
Income and cost of living in Georgia
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in Georgia.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in Georgia and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Manufacturing ($37.6 billion)
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($23.6 billion)
- Professional and business services ($22 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($17.7 billion)
- Retail trade ($15.3 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($13.2 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($12.4 billion)
- Construction ($7.8 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($7.2 billion
- Utilities ($6.5 billion)
| Metric | Georgia |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,221 |
| Average home cost | $326,617 |
| Average income (per capita) | $71,355 |
| Cost of living index* | 91 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 5.49% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in Georgia
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what Georgia has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in Georgia:
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- University of Georgia
- Georgia State University
- Emory University
- Kennesaw State University
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- Georgia Southern University
- Augusta University
- Mercer University
- University of West Georgia
- Agnes Scott College
- Valdosta State University
- Morehouse College
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Georgia
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Peach State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to GA
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Cost of moving to Georgia
Before you take the leap to Georgia, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to Georgia
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Georgia.
Georgia car insurance requirements
Georgia drivers license requirements
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