How much does it cost to live in Georgia?
Home to 10.52 million citizens, Georgia has the 24th lowest overall cost of living when compared to all other states. According to Bureau of Economic Analysis data, goods and services in the state cost 7% less than they do on a national level.
Cost of Living Parameters
Housing & Rent
On average, Georgian renters pay $968 per month, $55 less than the national average of $1,023. If you want to buy a house in the state, the typical home value is worth $168,800, $38,100 than the national median home value of $408,800.
Here are some stats on Georgia mortgages:
- Homeownership rate: 62.8%
- Homeowner vacancy rate: 0.8%
- Rental vacancy rate: 6.4%
Childcare
In Georgia, the average annual cost of infant care in Georgia is $8,530—that’s $711 per month. Childcare for a 4-year-old costs $7,306, or $609 each month. That makes Georgia one of 33 states and DC where infant care is more expensive than college.
Here’s a look at the average annual childcare costs from infant to college:
- Infant: $8,530
- 4-year-old: $7,306
- School: $11,9722
- College: $7,206
Utilities
Apartment utilities refer to the essential services required in a home such as gas, water, electricity, cable, and internet. A Georgian resident can expect to spend up to $417 per month on apartment utilities on average.
Food & Groceries
A single adult in Georgia spends an average of $3,156 on food each year, while a family of four's annual food cost reaches $9,115. These figures are based on a nutritionally appropriate diet purchased from a grocery shop and prepared at home.
The average price for eating out would be:
- A basic meal with a drink at an inexpensive restaurant $13.60
- Fast food combo (Big Mac etc.) $7.67
- Bottle of Coca-Cola $1.96
- Bottle of water $1.06
Grocery shopping in the state would cost as follows:
- Milk (regular), (1 liter) $0.83
- Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) $2.48
- Rice (1 Kg) $3.45
- Eggs (regular) (12) $2.09
- Chicken Fillet (1kg) $8.85
- 4 Rolls of toilet paper $3.63
- Hair Shampoo $4.67
Transportation
89.2% of commuters in Georgia drive to work, compared to 85.5% of commuters nationwide. The average motorist in the state travels 11,979 miles per year. Taking into account average fuel economy and average gas prices, the average Georgia motorist can expect to spend $1,006 on gas alone in a year.
Other transportation costs, such as car insurance prices, can differ from one state to the next. According to data from Insure.com, the average vehicle insurance rate in Georgia is $1,294, which is lower than the national average of $1,517. According to EPI data, the average single adult in the state spends $10,089 on transportation each year.
Average Income & Taxes
The average yearly income of a single adult living in Georgia is $50,097. The state has a graduated individual income tax, with rates ranging from 1.00% to 5.75%. Georgia also has a 5.75% corporate income tax rate.
Most Expensive Georgia Cities to Live in
- Milton
- Sandy Springs
- Johns Creek
- Tybee Island
- Brookhaven
Why is disability insurance important to have in Georgia?
As shown by the above cost of living study, a steady income is required to live comfortably and worry-free. Whether you work full-time or as a freelancer, getting disability insurance is the first step towards financial stability.
What would happen if you found yourself unable to earn a paycheck because you were too ill or injured to work? According to a recent survey conducted by the personal financial website Bankrate, more than half of Americans (51%) have less than three months' worth of emergency funds.
Medical bills are reported to be the number one cause of U.S. bankruptcies. One study has claimed that 62.1% of bankruptcies were caused by medical issues. Other studies show that over 2 million people are adversely affected by their medical expenses.
If medical bills start piling up, you’ll no longer be able to support your lifestyle in other areas as well, especially if your income is on hold. You might find yourself unable to pay for utilities and rent, and that eventually could lead to foreclosure. Half of the foreclosures on conventional mortgages in Georgia are caused by the disability of one of the homeowners. In fact, the foreclosure rate in the state reaches one in every 4,138 households.
A lot of people still think that the need for disability insurance is not top priority, thinking that disability rarely happens, and when it does, it’s only caused by serious accidents. But did you know that up to 90% of disability cases recorded are due to illness, not injury?
With that being said, getting a private disability income insurance should be on top of your to-do list because life is unpredictable and your income shouldn’t be
Does Georgia have state disability insurance?
Only 5 states in the U.S. require companies to provide their employees with disability insurance coverage that includes benefits for accidents or illnesses sustained outside of the workplace. Unfortunately, Georgia is not among these states.
Residents of Georgia can apply for disability benefits at their local Social Security Administration field office. The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees two programs that offer disability payments to those who are disabled and can no longer support themselves and their families: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (SSI). Georgia does not provide short-term disability benefits.
In rare situations, the state of Georgia supplements the federal SSI payment with a minor state supplement (now $20). The SSI supplement is managed by the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR). You do not need to apply for the state SSI supplement individually because the DHR will identify individuals who are eligible (currently only those living in Medicaid facilities).
What qualifies as disability in Georgia?
If you have disability insurance provided by your employer, make sure to double-check the criteria in the agreement that qualify you to receive disability benefits when you’re unable to work. Some of these criteria can include the following:
- You are unable to perform the Substantial and Material Duties of your Regular Occupation as shown on the Schedule and;
- You are under the Regular Care of a Physician appropriate for your disabling Sickness or Injury and;
- There is no reasonable simplified worksite modification(s) that would allow you to perform one or more of the Substantial and Material Duties of your regular job.
How can I easily get disability insurance in Georgia?
Seeking a private disability insurance policy is the best option in Georgia. Here at Asteya, we offer disability insurance (or disability income insurance as we like to call it) that’s simple, fast, and affordable. Our 100% digital process means we don’t tire you out with proof of income, medical exams, phone interviews, or wait times.
Who qualifies for disability insurance in Georgia?
Most insurances are bought to protect homes, vehicles, and health, but our most valuable asset tends to get neglected: our income. 70% of working Americans live paycheck to paycheck, with little savings to buffer the financial burden of a disability that leaves them unable to work.
At Asteya, we offer 2 types of disability income insurance: Permanent Disability Income Insurance and Sickness & Injury Disability Income Insurance. Please visit asteya.world for more details on the eligibility of our product offering.
How much does disability insurance in Georgia cost?
Protecting your income shouldn’t be a luxury, so here at Asteya, we’ve created affordable and easy solutions that won’t drain what you’re trying to protect (your income!). Our prices start as low as:
- Permanent Disability Income Insurance: starting at $6.05/month
- Sickness & Injury Disability Income Insurance: starting at $5/month
The bottom line
On average, living in the state of Georgia will cost you $3,180 per month, give or take – that’s a lot of expenses! You've invested a lot of time and hard work in building a life that works for you, and your hard work shouldn’t be jeopardized by an accident or illness - that’s why you should protect your lifestyle and your income with DI.
If you're still on the fence about whether disability income insurance is for you (hint: it is), here are a few extra points to consider while thinking about it:
- Asteya’s applications are 100% digital . We don't require blood tests or doctor's appointments, unlike other insurers and we'll just ask you a few minutes of questions to determine your best policy.
- Get paid out directly on an approved claim, and spend without restrictions once it's in your bank account.
- We've made our Income Insurance as inclusive and accessible as possible. From corner store employee to corner office executive, our products were created to fit every budget and lifestyle.