Here's How Much It Costs To Live In Atlanta

ATLANTA -- The Economic Policy Institute has released a new Family Budget Calculator which breaks down exactly how much it costs for a family of four -- two adults and two children -- to live in communities across the country. And it turns out that for Atlanta, you've got to make a bit of money to afford to live here.

Atlanta families of four need to make a $78,717 per year -- $6,560 per month -- to attain a "modest yet adequate" standard of living, according to EPI.

That breaks down to:

• Housing: $1,031
• Food: $772
• Child Care: $968
• Transportation: $1,159
• Health Care: $1,010
• Other Necessities: $727
• Taxes: $893

San Francisco was No. 1 with an average cost of $148,440.

"EPI's Family Budget Calculator measures the income a family needs in order to attain a modest yet adequate standard of living," EPI states. "The budgets estimate community-specific costs for 10 family types (one or two adults with zero to four children) in all counties and metro areas in the United States. Compared with the federal poverty line and the Supplemental Poverty Measure, EPI's family budgets provide a more accurate and complete measure of economic security in America."

The calculator is based on 2017 figures.

Rising costs for childcare and housing appear to be driving much of the increase, according to a WAMU report. Childcare costs in particular have risen 50 percent over the last decade.