Cost of Car Insurance: Atlanta vs Everywhere Else, It Makes a Difference
Does My Zip Code Affect My Car Insurance Rates?
If you think you’re shelling out too much for your car insurance, you’re not alone. In fact, a huge chunk of folks in Atlanta have seen a bump in their car insurance premiums. People reported hikes of anywhere between 10% and 30%, without having changed anything. Yeah, you read that right – they didn’t buy new wheels, got into any fender-benders, or racked up any speeding tickets.
So, it’s no surprise then that we’re trying to figure out what the deal is. Turns out, where you live can actually have a big impact on the cost of your car insurance. Atlanta car insurance is pricier compared to more rural parts of Georgia, thanks to things like the number of folks living in the city, the local crime rate, and the frequency of accidents. In rural areas, however, rates are typically lower due to fewer crashes and a lower crime rate. But bear in mind, your individual rate can be influenced by things like your driving history, what kind of car you roll in, and where exactly your garage is located.
A Tale of Two Commutes: What It Costs to Drive in and Outside of Atlanta
We crunched the numbers to compare the total costs (including insurance, gas, and car maintenance) for an Atlanta driver with a 3-mile commute and a driver outside of Atlanta with a 30-mile commute. Guess what? The driver with the longer commute pays a whopping $3,018.60 more annually than the one with the shorter commute. And that’s just in gas and maintenance costs alone!
Atlanta vs. the ‘Burbs: What’s the Real Deal?
So, considering all this, is it worth it to up sticks and move? Let’s compare the cost of living in Atlanta and Acworth for a single lady in her 40s. Spoiler alert: living in Acworth and commuting to Atlanta is approximately $327.75/month cheaper than living directly in Atlanta. This calculation includes essentials like rent, utilities, groceries, commute costs, car insurance, and renter’s insurance.
A closer look at specific Atlanta Zip codes also shows big differences in car insurance premiums. Areas like West End/Westview, Hapeville, College Park/Union City, and South Atlanta/Pittsburgh ranked the highest. Meanwhile, neighborhoods such as Northwest Atlanta/Blandtown/Underwood Hills, Grant Park/Summerhill, and Lindbergh/Morningside offered cheaper rates due to lower traffic density, fewer accidents, and lower crime rates.
Living the Good Life: Cost of Basics and Car Insurance in Other Georgia Cities
What about Georgia’s other cities? Last year, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, and Savannah residents were shouldering an average annual car insurance cost ranging from as low as $2,243 to as high as $2,524. Looking forward to this year, we’re expecting Atlanta’s average annual full coverage car insurance cost to creep towards $2,893.
So, there you have it. Your car insurance rate isn’t totally out of your control after all. Take a look around, do your research, and you just might find that it pays to consider your location!
