Atlanta guide

How do you move to Atlanta? A step-by-step checklist

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This article is part of our Moving to Atlanta guide.

Last updated October 18, 2026

To move to Atlanta, start about eight weeks out: set a budget, pick an area, lock in an apartment, then book movers and set up utilities before you arrive. Once you’re here, you have 30 days to get a Georgia driver’s license and 30 days to register and title your car. A typical one-bedroom rents for about $1,625 a month (Zumper, October 2026). New residents also pay a one-time 3% title tax on their car, and most metro cars need an emissions test first.

1-bedroom rent$1,625Zumper average, Oct 2026
Georgia license30 daysafter becoming a resident, Georgia DDS
Car registration30 daysat your county tag office, georgia.gov
New-resident title tax3%of the car’s value, one time, Georgia DOR

What should you do eight weeks before moving to Atlanta?

This is the planning stage. You’re working out what you can afford and where you want to live.

  1. Set a rent budget. Zumper’s October 2026 averages are $1,625 for a one-bedroom (up 10% from a year ago) and $2,004 for a two-bedroom (down 2%). Our Atlanta cost of living guide covers the rest of the monthly budget.
  2. Price the move itself. Moving costs depend on distance, how much you own, and whether you hire a full-service mover or drive a truck. Our guide to the cost to move across the country walks through the ranges.
  3. Save for move-in costs. Plan for a security deposit, first month’s rent, application fees, and utility deposits on top of the move.
  4. Choose two or three areas. Decide whether you want to be near MARTA rail, near your job, or somewhere with more space. Start with our best Atlanta neighborhoods for newcomers guide.
  5. Decide whether you’ll bring a car. If you do, the registration steps later in this checklist apply to you. Our do you need a car in Atlanta guide can help you decide.

What should you do four weeks out?

Now you commit. Sign a lease and book your move.

  1. Search for an apartment. Tour in person or by video. Ask what utilities are included, how water is billed, and what parking costs. To compare buildings by year built, size, and pet policy, browse our sister site, AtlantaApartmentBuildings.com.
  2. Read the lease before you sign. Check the deposit, move-in date, and any fees. Our guide to how renting works in Atlanta explains what to look for.
  3. Book movers or a truck. Get at least two quotes. Book early if you need a weekend date.
  4. Ask your building about move-in rules. Many apartment buildings require you to reserve an elevator, a loading dock, or a parking spot for the truck. Ask for the time window and any proof of insurance your movers must provide.

How do you set up utilities in Atlanta?

Do this about two weeks before your move. Who provides each service depends on your address, so confirm with your leasing office first.

  1. Electricity. Inside the city of Atlanta, power comes from Georgia Power. Outside the city, ask your leasing office which electric company serves your address. Georgia Power may ask for a deposit based on your credit, up to twice the home’s average monthly bill. It connects service Monday through Friday only. Orders placed by midnight can usually be connected the next business day.
  2. Water. In the city, water and sewer come from the Department of Watershed Management. Renters apply with a signed lease and a government ID. The deposit is $80 for a typical meter, plus a $15 account fee. Many apartment buildings share one master meter. In that case you can’t open your own account, and the landlord bills you.
  3. Natural gas. Georgia’s gas system works differently. Atlanta Gas Light owns the pipes and reads the meters, but you buy gas from a marketer you choose. The Georgia Public Service Commission keeps a list of certified marketers. Compare fixed and variable rates, deposits, and fees. If you can’t get service from another marketer, the PSC’s regulated provider, SCANA Energy, serves low-income and hard-to-serve customers.
  4. Internet. Book installation early so it’s working on move-in day. The city lists Comcast, AT&T, and Google Fiber as providers.
  5. Forward your mail and update your address with your bank and employer.

What should you do during moving week?

  1. Confirm your truck, movers, and elevator or dock booking. Recheck the time window with your building.
  2. Pack your documents separately. Keep your passport or birth certificate, Social Security card, current license, car title, and signed lease with you. You’ll need them at the DDS and the tag office.
  3. Confirm utility start dates. Make sure power is on for move-in day.
  4. Do a move-in walkthrough. Take dated photos of every room before you unpack. They protect your deposit later.

What do you have to do in your first month in Atlanta?

These are the legal deadlines. Get the license first, because the tag office asks for a Georgia license when you register your car.

  1. Get a Georgia driver’s license within 30 days. Any DDS Customer Service Center can transfer an out-of-state license. Fill out the form online before you go; DDS keeps it on file for 60 days. Bring proof of identity, your Social Security number, proof of citizenship or lawful status, and two documents showing your Georgia address, such as a lease or a utility bill. You’ll hand over your old license, take a vision exam, and pay $32.
  2. Get an emissions test, if your car needs one. Gas-powered cars registered in 13 metro counties need a test, including Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton. For 2026 registrations, model years 2002 through 2023 must be tested.
  3. Register and title your car within 30 days. Go to your county tag office, in person or by mail. Bring your Georgia license, Form MV-1, your title or proof of ownership, proof of insurance, and your emissions certificate. New residents pay a one-time title ad valorem tax (TAVT) of 3% of the car’s fair market value. Georgia DOR has a TAVT estimator.
  4. Register to vote. Applying for your Georgia license at DDS registers you automatically. You can also register or update your address on the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page. The deadline for the November 3, 2026 election was October 5, so a new arrival now will be registered for later elections.
  5. Set up your MARTA fare. Since March 28, 2026, you can tap a bank card or a phone at rail gates and bus validators. A ride costs $2.50. Use the same card or phone for every leg so your transfers stay free. If you want a physical card, get a new orange Breeze card; the old silver ones no longer work. Our Atlanta public transit guide has the details.

For everything else in your first few weeks, from trash pickup to finding a doctor, see our first 30 days in Atlanta guide.

What are the key deadlines for new Atlanta residents?

TaskDeadline or ruleSource
Georgia driver’s licenseWithin 30 days of becoming a residentGeorgia DDS
Vehicle registration and titleWithin 30 days of moving to Georgiageorgia.gov
Title ad valorem tax (TAVT)One time, 3% of fair market value for new residents, paid when you title the carGeorgia DOR
Emissions testBefore registering, for model years 2002–2023 in 13 metro countiesGeorgia EPD; DeKalb County Tax Commissioner
Voter registrationClosed October 5 for the November 3, 2026 electionGeorgia Secretary of State, via Georgia Recorder

Want the bigger picture before you start? Our moving to Atlanta start-here guide links every part of the move.

What else should you plan for before moving to Atlanta?

Our Moving Guides cover the parts of a move that work the same way in every big city:

Frequently asked questions about moving in Atlanta

How far ahead should I plan a move to Atlanta?

About eight weeks is a comfortable lead time. It gives you room to set a budget, tour apartments, and book movers before the good dates fill up.

Do I have to choose a gas company in Atlanta?

Yes, if your home has gas service. Atlanta Gas Light runs the pipes, but you buy gas from a certified marketer listed by the Georgia Public Service Commission.

How much is the car tax when I move to Georgia?

New residents pay a one-time title ad valorem tax of 3% of the car’s fair market value when they title it in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Revenue has an online estimator.

Do I need a Breeze card to ride MARTA?

No. Since March 2026, you can tap a bank card or a phone wallet at gates and on buses. Old silver Breeze cards no longer work.

Sources

Go Big City Team
Author: Go Big City Team

More Atlanta questions

Back to the Atlanta guide →
Cost of livingHow much does it cost to live in Atlanta?One adult needs about $55,600 a year to cover basics in Atlanta's Fulton County. Here is what rent, taxes, utilities, a car, MARTA and groceries actually cost in 2026.Updated Oct 23, 2026RentingHow does renting an apartment in Atlanta work?Atlanta one-bedrooms average about $1,625 and move-in deals are common. Here's what landlords ask for, what Georgia's Safe at Home Act says about deposits, and how to set up utilities.Updated Oct 22, 2026Getting aroundHow does public transit work in Atlanta?A plain guide to Atlanta public transit in 2026: MARTA trains and buses, the $2.50 fare, tap-to-pay, passes, the airport trip, suburban bus systems and where transit falls short.Updated Oct 21, 2026NeighborhoodsWhat are the best Atlanta neighborhoods for newcomers?Compare ten Atlanta neighborhoods newcomers actually choose, from Midtown and the BeltLine to Decatur and Perimeter, with housing types, MARTA access, dated rent averages, and tips on choosing by commute and schools.Updated Oct 21, 2026

Next step: see the full Moving to Atlanta guide for rent, costs, transit, weather, jobs and neighborhoods in one place.

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