The great divide
Fulton County's property tax system exacerbates inequality between the north and south—and between Atlanta’s richest and poorest homeowners.
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Feb 74 min read
On Buford Highway, a little grocery store with a big mission
The Little Bodega is a free grocery pop-up that models a new way of feeding families in need
Jan 311 min read
Christmas is over. But Santa still has to make a living.
During the holidays, André is the Black Santa of Atlanta. For the rest of the year, he’s a firearms safety instructor, a husband, and a dad.
Jan 181 min read
Listening Insights: Year in Review
The Cost of Living Project has spoken to hundreds of people (from 54 zip codes and counting). Here’s what we’ve learned so far.
Dec 24, 20235 min read
For seasonal employees, short-term work has its ups and downs
Holiday work no longer means ringing up purchases at the department store. Still, there’s room for the occasional Santa. It’s a busy...
Dec 21, 20235 min read
When givers can’t give
People are donating a smaller share of their income than at any point in decades. But Atlantans are still finding other ways to help.
Dec 15, 20234 min read
“Your life doesn’t start in the U.S. until you have reliable transportation”
Driving lessons are hard to come by. These nonprofits are working to give immigrants and refugees mobility in car-dependent metro Atlanta.
Dec 8, 20234 min read
15 ways to give this holiday season
Here are a selection of the best opportunities to give a little money from around the Atlanta area.
Oct 17, 20232 min read
(Most) everything you need to know about Housing Choice Vouchers, aka Section 8
The program waitlist is open for the first time since 2021—but only for a few days. Here are the FAQs about HCVs.
Oct 17, 20233 min read
A senior sees Bankhead progressing—and leaving folks behind
Vanessa Alexander stays rooted in her community with a prayer line, Bible studies, and neighborhood cookouts
Oct 13, 20234 min read
Rising property taxes have complicated this artist's retirement plan
Susan McCracken on the importance of community—and her dream of moving to the mountains
Oct 10, 20233 min read
A full-time caregiver navigates rising rent, aging family, and parenthood
Woolridge's new home is “a land of opportunity,” a center of “Black excellence,” and a healthcare desert
Sep 12, 20232 min read
Meet the Cost of Living fellows
Members of our inaugural fellowship cohort will support the reporting needs of the project—and pursue stories of their own
Sep 12, 20231 min read
Join the Cost of Living Project!
We're giving 8 teens $100 (+ a disposable camera) each to photograph their neighborhood
Sep 8, 20233 min read
In between jobs in Grant Park
This 56-year-old former real estate analyst likes to joke that she’s another local living the life of “home-loaner-ship"
Sep 8, 20235 min read
Hope for a Post-it note
A lifelong Grove Park resident on what it’s like to be caught in a gentrification feedback loop
Aug 16, 20234 min read
How do Georgia’s eviction laws impact me?
How many rent payments can I miss before my landlord can evict me? If I’ve been evicted in the past, can landlords automatically reject me?
Aug 16, 20232 min read
Understanding TADs and TIFs, the financing tricks that transform cities
In Atlanta, the TAD program has been credited for billions of dollars in assessed property value growth since the program began in 2001
Aug 10, 20232 min read
Meet this MRI technologist from East Cobb
This 54-year-old's family's combined household income—he lives in East Cobb with his wife and son—is $150,000
Jun 15, 20234 min read
What rights do I have as a tenant?
Georgia has some of the weakest tenant protections in the country. But, tenants still do have rights. Here is some advice from experts.
Jun 13, 20232 min read
Meet a part-time grad student living in Hills Park
How does this 24-year-old afford Atlanta? Saving money by living with her parents while she earns a master's degree in social work.
May 31, 20231 min read
The long road home
Developing housing is a complex and multi-step process that can take several years. Here’s a flowchart explaining why.
May 31, 20232 min read
Meet this nonprofit development manager from Reynoldstown
This 29-year-old non-profit development manager supports himself on $49,000 a year in Reynoldstown, where he pays $1,300 in rent.
May 31, 20233 min read
What is rent control?
"Rent control” is on a list of phrases that make developers, investors, and landlords wince. But what does the term actually mean?
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