The Cost of Job Relocation: Moving from Atlanta to New York

Many people consider job relocation at least once in their lifetime, but are the costs associated with job relocation really worth it? After you've paid all the fees and found a new home, will you really be any better off? Let's look at what job relocation would cost if you were to move from Atlanta to New York.

Job Relocation from Atlanta to New York: Income
First of all, you need to think about what the median household income is in New York compared to Atlanta. According to the City Data Web site, the median household income for Atlanta in 2005 was around $40,000. Many would expect the median household income to be much higher in New York, but it is actually $43,000. Let's say you've already been offered a job and you know that you'll be making well above the median household income in New York. Should you go ahead and start the relocation process from Atlanta to New York? Not necessarily.

Job Relocation from Atlanta to New York: Housing
Oftentimes, people fail to think about how much housing will cost in a different city. When considering job relocation to New York, you must think about how much more you will have to pay to own a home. According to the Housing Tracker Web site, the average cost of a home in New York is currently around $437,000. Homes in Atlanta currently cost about $212,900. Of course, you don't have to purchase a home during the job relocation process. You could always rent a New York apartment. According to the City Data Web site, it cost around $909 to rent in New York in 2005. Housing in Atlanta only cost around $770. If these prices sound reasonable, you are one step closer to job relocation. But, how much will it cost to move all your belongings from Atlanta to New York?

Job Relocation from Atlanta to New York: The Move
When considering job relocation, you must not forget the cost of moving. According to Yahoo Maps, New York is roughly 900 miles from Atlanta. This means you will want to move all your belongings to New York in one trip. Many people making this move choose to rent a moving truck from U-Haul. A truck large enough to move all of your belongings from Atlanta currently costs around $426 for five days. But, your job relocation moving expenses aren't done yet. You must fuel this U-Haul. This large truck only gets around 7 miles per gallon, which means you will need to buy approximately 130 gallons of gas to get from Atlanta to New York. This one job relocation expense will cost around $455, if gas prices are around $3.50 per gallon.

These are just a few expenses you will face when considering job relocation and these costs will change from time to time. Other expenses you will face during job relocation from Atlanta to New York will be relatively small. But, you truly need to think about whether or not the move to New York from Atlanta is really worth it. If you don't have a job lined up before moving from Atlanta, relocation could be financial suicide.