Housing affordability has emerged as the leading concern among residents in the Atlanta region, according to the 2025 Metro Atlanta Speaks public opinion survey released by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). Of those surveyed, 28% identified housing affordability as the most pressing issue facing metro Atlanta. Traffic followed at 24%, while crime and the economy were each cited by 13% of respondents.
This marks the first year that housing affordability was included as an option for this particular survey question. In previous years, concerns about the economy and crime topped the list.
The ARC conducts this annual survey to gather perspectives on quality-of-life issues such as transportation, economic conditions, and housing. The 2025 edition introduced new questions addressing both housing challenges and artificial intelligence.
More than six out of ten participants (62%) indicated they could not afford to move within their current neighborhoods, a figure consistent with last year’s results. When asked about causes of housing affordability challenges, 44% pointed to developers constructing units that are too expensive. Another 35% attributed difficulties to investors purchasing homes for rental purposes.
Regarding artificial intelligence, responses were mixed. While 61% believe AI will boost productivity and nearly half (49%) think it will make life easier, almost three-quarters (73%) expect AI technology to reduce job availability.
Concerns about economic conditions have also grown: Over half (53%) said it is currently a bad time to find a well-paying job—an increase from last year’s response rate of 41%.
Nearly half of respondents (46.5%) anticipate that living conditions in metro Atlanta will worsen over the next three to four years. Only 16% expect improvements during that period—a notable shift from last year when fewer expected declines and more anticipated better outcomes.
“Each year, the Metro Atlanta Speaks survey provides valuable insights about where we are as a region, and where we are headed,” said Atlanta Regional Commission Chair Andre Dickens, who also serves as Mayor of the City of Atlanta. “On this year’s survey, the concerns over housing affordability came through loud and clear. Our region is making meaningful progress on this challenge, but there’s no doubt we have more work to do.”
Support for public transit remains steady; nearly four in ten respondents (39%) consider expanding transit options as the best long-term solution for traffic problems—surpassing those who favor improving roads and highways at 34%. Additionally, over half (53%) believe future regional growth should focus along existing transportation corridors or areas with established businesses.
The hybrid phone and online survey was conducted by Kennesaw State University’s A.L. Burruss Institute of Public Service and Research in August with responses from 4,121 adults across eleven counties in metro Atlanta. Results are statistically significant for each county surveyed and for Atlanta itself.
Further details on county-level results can be found at https://atlantaregional.org/metroatlantaspeaks.
