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Safe, Affordable Neighborhoods in Atlanta in 2025

Relocating to Atlanta? Georgia’s capital city has neighborhoods known for their safe streets and thriving local culture. With lower crime rates and budget-friendly housing options, these areas provide an excellent quality of life for singles, young professionals, families, and retirees. Here are five safe and affordable neighborhoods in Atlanta!

Neighborhood Cabbagetown Candler Park Midtown North Buckhead Underwood Hills
Median Home Price $244,040 $518,533 $378,430 $491,544 $474,000
Median Rent Price $1,184 $1,158 $1,572 $830 $1,383
Safer than % of City Neighborhoods 78% 97% 53% 91% 66%
Owner-Occupied Household Rate 53.7% 77.9% 42.9% 51.3% 49.7%

 

Is Atlanta a Safe Place to Live in 2025?

Atlanta is a diverse city, with crime rates varying across areas. Overall, Atlanta is a safe place to live, but there are some neighborhoods that are safer than others. Cabbagetown, Candler Park, Midtown, and many other areas offer safety paired with affordability, making them great places to live in ATL.

Cabbagetown

A white shotgun house in the Cabbagetown neighborhood of Atlanta. Photo by Instagram user @preserveatl

Photo via @preserveatl

Cabbagetown is a safe and affordable neighborhood in Atlanta that offers cozy cottages and shotgun homes. Whether you’re looking for a tight-knit feel or want great shopping and dining spots to explore, Cabbagetown has something for everyone. This small and artsy historic neighborhood is one of Intown Atlanta’s best-kept areas, with tree-lined streets and colorful homes, and is located about two miles east of Downtown Atlanta. Cabbagetown has great walkability and accessibility, and residents can utilize public transportation via the East-West Line at the King Memorial MARTA Station. In addition, ATL residents can find plenty of things to do at the restaurants and bars located along the neighborhood’s main streets!

Things to Do in Cabbagetown

View the public art, have a picnic with friends, or let the little ones play on the jungle gym at Esther Peachy Lefevre Park. Learn how to plant, harvest, and grow organic food at the Cabbagetown Community Garden. Visit the Krog Street Tunnel to see a variety of edgy graffiti art and unique murals. Take an improv class or catch a comedy show at Dad’s Garage Theatre. Chow down on Fried Chicken & Grits, the Breakfast Sandwich, or French Toast for brunch at Carroll Street Cafe. Grab dinner and try the Agave Meatballs, Spicy Fried Lobster Tail, or Ranchero Chicken Taquitos at Agave. Spend an evening enjoying cocktails like the Strawberry Martini or Gold Fashioned at Petit Chou. Or satisfy your sweet tooth with delicious desserts like a Red Velvet Cheesecake, Cookies and Cream Brownie, or Chocolate Dream Cupcake at Sweet Cheats.

Q: What is the most affordable neighborhood in Atlanta?

A: Cabbagetown is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Atlanta. In addition to lower housing costs, this area features lower day-to-day expenses thanks to its abundance of local shops and eateries, as well as its community-oriented atmosphere. Cabbagetown’s proximity to Downtown Atlanta and the BeltLine also makes it an attractive option for residents seeking affordability paired with easy access to the city’s amenities.

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Candler Park

Looking for an active place to live in Atlanta Intown that’s more than the local nightlife scene? Candler Park offers cool bungalows and Victorian-style houses, tons of green space to explore, accessible sidewalks, and well-kept yards. Plus, residents of this neighborhood in ATL have easy access to the MARTA Blue and Green line and are within walking distance of the Little Five Points business district! Residents of all ages love this Atlanta neighborhood for its dedication to bringing the community together—the Candler Park Neighborhood Organization hosts frequent events for residents, including movie nights and Fall Fest. Candler Park is also home to the Candler Park Music & Food Festival, which attracts thousands of Atlanta residents each year with its food, fun, and live music.

Things to Do in Candler Park

Go swimming at the Candler Park pool, take a bike ride, or play a game of soccer at the neighborhood’s namesake, Candler Park. Schedule a tee time at the nine-hole Candler Park Golf Course. See local and national stage productions featuring social, spiritual, and political stories at 7 Stages. Pick up some Yeezys, Air Force 1’s, or Jordans at Heet ATL. Order the Waffle Breakfast, Steak and Eggs, or Smoked Salmon Scramble at the neighborhood brunch spot, Flying Biscuit Cafe. Pop into British-themed pub Brewhouse Cafe for Fish ‘N Chips, Bangers & Mash, and a large selection of beers. Enjoy barbecue favorites like Pulled Pork, Beef Brisket, or Spare Ribs at Fox Bros Bar-B-Q. Or sample craft beers like the Surf Wax or Dear Crider at The Porter Beer Bar.

Q: What is the safest neighborhood in Atlanta?

A: Candler Park is one of the safest Atlanta neighborhoods. With a strong sense of community and a low crime rate, Candler Park is a popular choice for families, retirees, and young adults who prioritize safety.

Midtown

Brown home with giant sun porch in Midtown in Atlanta. Photo by Instagram user @katielatl

Photo via @katielatl

One of the best safe neighborhoods in Atlanta for young residents is Midtown. Centrally located in Intown Atlanta and featuring public transit via the MARTA Gold and Red lines, this Atlanta neighborhood is the ideal home for those who want to work, live, and play all in one place. Midtown is filled with single-family homes with decent-sized yards and a wide variety of housing styles, such as Modern and Craftsman bungalows, as well as condos and high-rise apartments. A hub for the arts, fine dining, and late-night bars, Midtown is a popular place for LGBTQ community members to attend festivals like Atlanta Pride, visit the Atlanta Rainbow Crosswalk, and eat and drink at welcoming establishments. Not only does this Atlanta neighborhood have some of the best nightlife in Atlanta, this ATL hot spot is a favorite among college students attending the nearby Georgia Institute of Technology, SCAD Atlanta, and Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.

Things to Do in Midtown

Play volleyball, take a gardening class, or go fishing at Piedmont Park. See productions like Disney’s Frozen or The Godfather at the Fox Theatre. Pack your crew together and rock out at Music Midtown, or find your inner foodie at the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. Enroll in a workshop or stroll through exhibits like Al Dente: The Design of Pasta at the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA). Sign up the kids for a summer camp focused on drawing, painting, and design at the High Museum of Art. Get seafood favorites like Char Broiled Oysters, Grilled Carolina Trout, or Yellowfin Tuna Tartar at Lure. Try everything from the Smoke Tofu Burrito to the Macho Nachos at Mexican restaurant El Burro Pollo. Catch amazing drag shows and dance the night away at gay bar Blake’s on the Park. Or order handcrafted cocktails like the Lucky Clover or the Frozen Watermelon Rita at Establishment.

Q: Is Atlanta affordable?

A: Atlanta is considered relatively affordable for a large city. The cost of living in Atlanta is about 16% higher than the national average, but certain cost categories—including goods and services, transportation, and utilities—are below or in line with the average, making Atlanta one of the more budget-friendly metropolitan areas in the U.S.

North Buckhead

Part of the larger Bucktown area just outside of Atlanta Intown, North Buckhead is known for its vast green space, luxurious houses, and top-rated public schools in Atlanta like Sarah Smith Elementary School, Sutton Middle School, and North Atlanta High School. Despite having some urban amenities like high-rise condos, business districts, and access to the MARTA Red line on the south end of the neighborhood, North Buckhead is primarily residential, making it an ideal home for families and retirees who want quieter, more upscale living in the Atlanta metro. Residents can get to know their community at seasonal block parties put on by the North Buckhead Civic Association or find beautiful outdoor recreation spots like Little Nancy Creek Park located within the neighborhood.

Things to Do in North Buckhead

Visit Blue Heron Nature Preserve to hike and bike the nature trails or explore the rotating outdoor art installations. Check out educational art programs, exhibitions, and installations at the Atlanta Innovative Art Gallery. Shop at luxury stores like Dior, Fendi, and Kate Spade at Phipps Plaza, or splurge on valet service before shopping at more than 250 specialty stores and dining at a variety of eateries at lavish Lenox Square. Enjoy a Baja Fish Taco, Kale & Mushroom Quesadilla, or Cowboy Skillet at Tin Lizzy’s Cantina. Grab a spot on the patio at Buckhead Pizza Co. and dig into a Meatball Hoagie, Spicy Chicken Pizza, or Lasagna. Dig into a Tomahawk Ribeye or Sea Bass and a bottle of wine at high-end steakhouse New York Prime. Or settle in for a few drinks and oldies hits while snacking on a Johnny’s BLT or Patty Melt at Johnny’s Hideaway.

Q: How safe is Atlanta?

A: Compared to the rest of the United States, Atlanta is safer than only 5% of other cities. However, safety in Atlanta varies by neighborhood. While some areas have higher crime rates, there are also plenty of safe and family-friendly neighborhoods in the city. Communities like Cabbagetown, Candler Park, and Buckhead offer lower crime rates, while still being part of Atlanta’s vibrant cultural scene.

Underwood Hills

Part of Atlanta’s Upper Westside, Underwood Hills is known for its friendly atmosphere, quick access to outdoor attractions like nearby Atlanta Memorial Park, and affordable housing options including single-family homes, apartments, townhomes, and condos. This community-oriented neighborhood is ideal for residents of all ages and boasts welcoming events like the Spring Social and neighborhood committees to join. Underwood Hills is also full of tree-lined roadways, great parks, and world-class shops and restaurants—plus, its safe streets and residential areas are perfect for families looking to settle down in The ATL. And because of its convenient location near Downtown Atlanta, residents can also travel to and from the city center on the MARTA bus routes along Defoors Ferry Rd!

Things to Do in Underwood Hills

Challenge yourself to a game of tennis or basketball with friends at Underwood Hills Park. Find a mixture of food, beverage, and retail shops on an expansive entertainment campus filled with countless things to do in Atlanta at The Works. Grab tickets to a comedy show at Fifth Place Comedy. Shop for prints, paintings, sculptures, or photographic works at Georgia Film Art. Satisfy your food cravings with Korean favorites like Spicy Steak, Chicken Bulgogi, or Galbi at Krave. Stop by Ssam Burger to try an Aloha Burger or Crazy Ninja Chicken Sandwich. Grab a seat and order spicy dishes like Chicken Tenders or a Hot Chicken Sandwich at Scoville Hot Chicken. Or enjoy a night out on the town while drinking pours like the Way Down Yonder, Southern Swagger, or Pelican Trailblazer at Fire Maker Brewing Company.

Q: Is Atlanta more affordable than Miami?

A: Yes, Atlanta is generally more affordable than Miami. Though both cities have higher costs than the national average and similar population sizes, the cost of living in Atlanta is about 10% lower than in Miami. This difference is particularly noticeable in rent and home prices, as well as transportation. These savings make Atlanta a cost-effective choice for those looking to live in a major city.

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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes

Atlanta, GA: 5 Safe, Affordable Neighborhoods

Mike Beutler

About Mike Beutler

Mike Beutler is a writer and digital content specialist who transitioned to self storage in 2020 after several years in the airline industry. His travels cultivated a passion for exploring cities across the U.S. and abroad and inspired him to learn more about practical insights for urban living. With 14 moves under his belt, both locally and cross-country, he also has a passion for minimalism and organization, and sharing tips to help others make any space feel like home while staying organized.