Sam hoped to become a tattoo artist, but Atlanta’s rising costs have pushed them out of their apartment—and their passion
Sam went to school to become a registered behavior technician. Still—because of high housing costs and despite their degree and current work in a skilled labor field—they’re moving back in with family. They hope to save money for a while and “hopefully afford rent again in the future.”
“Rent in Atlanta is insane and, with inflation, it keeps going up; it’s like there’s nowhere you can go where it’s actually affordable here,” Sam said.
On top of that, their student loan payments start in August: $500 a month until the full $75,000 is paid off.
Sam loves getting tattoos. In fact, they want to become a tattoo artist themselves. But they feel like following their passion isn’t an option, financially. “Apprenticeships for tattooing aren’t paid,” they explained. “So you’re pouring all of your time into that during the week, but you’re not getting paid for it. But, like, how are you going to pay your bills?”
They know others who are giving up their dreams because of the cost of living, too. “My two best friends—they’ve been married for a couple years—they really want to have a kid, but they literally can’t afford to,” Sam said. “They’re not able to achieve their dream of having a family because of rent, bills, and everything else.”
Registered behavior technician
Neighborhood
Alpharetta
Lives with
Roommate and pets
Annual gross income
$800 a month
Student loans
$500 a month
Health insurance cost per month + cost of any prescriptions
Phone plan and monthly subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, food delivery services, apps, etc.)
Utilities per month
Transportation (car payment, car insurance, gas, public transportation, Uber)
Restaurants, fast food, drinks at bars, coffees
Savings/401(k)
Fun (concerts, books, movies, recreational drugs, etc.)
Clothes/beauty (new shoes, laundromat services, makeup)
How much money would you need to live comfortably in Atlanta? What hourly rate or annual salary would you be happy with?
$35 an hour, minimum
What’s a nonessential item that you treat yourself to?
Gaming subscriptions
What would you like to have (that you don’t)?
Vacation and travel
What can be done to improve the cost of living in Atlanta?
Affordable housing
What’s the most challenging thing about living in Atlanta?
Literally, the cost of living
What do you love most about Atlanta?
How diverse the area is