Last year I worked with 47 families relocating from California to Atlanta. Every single one had the same reaction when they saw what their budget could buy here: genuine disbelief.
The numbers are stark. Your $1.5M California home—probably a nice 3-bedroom in a decent school district—translates to something dramatically different in Atlanta. We're talking twice the square footage, actual land, a pool, and still money left over.
But the raw numbers don't tell the whole story. Let me show you exactly what this looks like at different price points, and what you need to know about making this transition.
Note: All figures below are estimates based on current market conditions and typical properties. Actual prices vary by specific location, property condition, and market timing. Use our calculator for personalized estimates.
The $1.5M Reality Check
Typical examples based on current market data
Bay Area / Silicon Valley
- 3-bedroom, 2-bath ranch or split-level
- 1,400-1,800 sq ft
- 5,000-7,000 sq ft lot
- 1-car garage (maybe)
- Good but not top-tier schools
Built 1960s-1970s, likely needs updating
Atlanta Metro
- 5-6 bedroom, 5-bath custom home
- 4,500-6,000 sq ft
- 0.5-1 acre lot
- 3-car garage
- Top-rated public schools
Pool, outdoor kitchen, finished basement included
That's not an exaggeration or cherry-picked example. That's the typical reality of what $1.5M buys in Johns Creek, Alpharetta, or Buckhead versus the Bay Area.
Price Point Breakdown: What Your California Budget Gets You
$800K-$1M: The Sweet Spot for Most Families
In the Bay Area, $900K might get you a 2-bedroom condo in a decent neighborhood, or a small fixer-upper house an hour from San Francisco. In Atlanta, this budget opens up serious options:
- Johns Creek: 4,000+ sq ft, 5 bedrooms, top-5 Georgia schools, pool optional
- Alpharetta: Walking distance to Avalon, modern construction, 3,500-4,500 sq ft
- East Cobb: 5,000 sq ft on a half-acre, established neighborhood, excellent schools
This is the price point where most California families land. It delivers the lifestyle upgrade they're seeking without stretching into the luxury tier.
$1.2M-$1.8M: True Luxury Without the California Premium
At this price point, you're into genuine luxury in Atlanta. Think custom finishes, resort-style outdoor living, and addresses that carry weight.
- Buckhead: Gated estate home, 5,000-7,000 sq ft, pool, established neighborhood
- Alpharetta luxury communities: New construction with every upgrade, 6,000+ sq ft
- Johns Creek Country Club: Golf course living, custom estates, full amenities
In the Bay Area, this budget gets you into Los Altos or parts of Menlo Park—nice neighborhoods, but you're still looking at 2,500 sq ft on a small lot. No pool. No guest house. No space.
$2M+: Estate Living That Doesn't Exist in California
Here's where Atlanta becomes truly incomparable. At $2M+, you're looking at properties that simply don't exist in California at any price point—unless you go hours outside the metro.
Milton is where this gets interesting. For $2-3M, you're looking at:
- 3-5 acre estates with genuine privacy
- Horse facilities if you want them
- 8,000-12,000 sq ft of living space
- Pool, pool house, outdoor kitchen, sport court
- Still 35-40 minutes from downtown Atlanta
To get comparable acreage in California, you'd be looking at Atherton ($15M+) or going to Napa/Sonoma and giving up any connection to the Bay Area job market. In Atlanta, this lifestyle exists within a reasonable commute of a major city.
Beyond the Purchase Price: The Full Financial Picture
The home price is just the beginning. Here's where California versus Atlanta really diverges:
Property Taxes
California's Prop 13 keeps property taxes low if you've owned for decades, but new buyers pay based on purchase price. A $1.5M California home runs roughly $18,000/year in property taxes.
Georgia's property taxes on a comparable Atlanta home? Around $12,000-15,000/year. Not a massive difference, but real savings.
State Income Tax
California's top rate is 13.3%. Georgia's top rate is 5.75%. For a household earning $400K, that's roughly $30,000/year in tax savings. Over a decade, that's $300,000.
Day-to-Day Costs
Gas, groceries, dining out, childcare—everything runs 15-25% cheaper in Atlanta. A family spending $8,000/month on these expenses in the Bay Area might spend $6,500 in Atlanta.
Annual Savings Estimate: $400K Household Income
$72,000
Estimated annual savings
Important: These are estimates based on a typical relocating family. Your actual savings will vary based on income, spending habits, and specific circumstances. Use our calculator for personalized numbers.
The Trade-Offs: What You're Giving Up
I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't mention what you're trading away. Atlanta is wonderful, but it's not California.
Weather
California's weather is genuinely unbeatable. Atlanta has hot, humid summers (July-August are rough) and occasional ice storms in winter. You'll run AC from May through September. The payoff: spectacular springs and falls, and you'll never shovel snow.
Outdoor Access
No mountains or ocean within a short drive. The North Georgia mountains are 90 minutes away—beautiful for hiking and fall colors, but not Tahoe or Big Sur. Gulf beaches are 5-6 hours. You'll find yourself taking more weekend trips and fewer spontaneous day trips.
Public Transit
Atlanta is a car city. MARTA exists but doesn't go everywhere you need it. If you currently live car-free in San Francisco, that lifestyle doesn't translate. You'll need a car—probably two.
Tech Density
The Bay Area's concentration of tech talent, investors, and companies is unmatched. Atlanta has a growing tech scene (Microsoft, Google, and Amazon all have major offices), but it's not Silicon Valley. If your career depends on being in the room where deals happen, consider this carefully.
Where California Buyers Land in Atlanta
Based on my experience with Bay Area transplants, here's where different profiles tend to gravitate:
Tech professionals who work remotely: Milton for space, or Alpharetta near Avalon for walkability. Both offer excellent schools and the lifestyle upgrade they're seeking.
Families prioritizing schools above all: Johns Creek. The diversity and academic culture feel familiar to Bay Area families, and schools genuinely compete with top California districts.
Executives seeking prestige and urban access: Buckhead. Established luxury, country club culture, and 15 minutes from everything.
Those seeking maximum value: East Cobb in Marietta. Top schools, excellent homes, 15-20% cheaper than the above options.
Making the Transition
If you're seriously considering the move, here's what I recommend:
1. Visit in summer. Specifically July or August. If you can handle Atlanta at its worst, you'll love the other 10 months. Don't make a decision based only on a pleasant October visit.
2. Consider renting first. Six months in a rental teaches you things about Atlanta neighborhoods that research can't. You'll discover your actual commute patterns, find your favorite areas, and make a confident purchase decision.
3. Work with someone who understands the transition. A local agent who's helped California families before knows the questions you'll have, the adjustments you'll face, and how to translate your priorities into the right Atlanta neighborhood.
The families who love Atlanta are the ones who came ready for something genuinely different—not just a cheaper version of where they left. More space. Different pace. New community. If that sounds appealing, you'll probably love it here too.
Considering the Move from California?
We've helped dozens of Bay Area families find the right fit in Atlanta. A quick conversation can help you understand which neighborhoods match your priorities and what your specific budget unlocks here.
