Want to live and work in Marietta?

The cost of living in Marietta is considered moderate for the United States and below the greater Atlanta average. One-bedroom apartment rents fall in the mid-range, with neighborhoods near Marietta Square commanding a location premium. Historic homes near the center are expensive, while subdivisions farther out offer more space for less money.

Grocery shopping is dominated by Publix and Kroger. The Marietta Market features local producers, and ethnic grocery stores like the Buford Highway Farmers Market (about twenty minutes away) carry Asian, Latin American, and African ingredients at accessible prices. Fuel and utility costs are generally below the national average, thanks to Georgia Power's energy mix.

Property taxes in Cobb County are moderate by American standards, and there is no state tax on basic food items. Health insurance and childcare are the largest expenses for young families. Those who commute to Atlanta spend additional time and fuel in I-75 traffic, a factor to weigh in any household budget.

The single largest employer in Marietta is Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, which assembles military aircraft including the C-130 Hercules and F-22 Raptor at a large facility next to Dobbins Air Reserve Base. The company hires engineers, technicians, welders, and administrative staff. The military base itself also generates civilian jobs.

Wellstar Kennestone Hospital is the largest hospital in northern Georgia and the city's second major employer. Healthcare drives demand for nurses, technicians, administrative staff, and specialized professionals. Cobb County School District is also a major employer, with thousands of teachers and staff.

A large share of Marietta residents commute to Atlanta, working in finance, technology, logistics (with Delta at Hartsfield-Jackson), and professional services. The construction, local services, restaurant, and retail sectors absorb many newly arrived immigrants. Small ethnic business entrepreneurship is growing, especially along Cobb Parkway.

Marietta's healthcare system is anchored by Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, one of Georgia's largest hospital complexes. It includes a Level I trauma center, cancer center, advanced cardiology services, and a maternity ward. Wellstar-affiliated physicians maintain offices throughout the city, integrated into the broader system.

Beyond Wellstar, there are independent clinics, dentists, ophthalmologists, and CVS, Walgreens, and Publix pharmacies throughout the city. Low-cost clinics such as the Center for Family Resources and Good Samaritan Health Center serve residents without insurance, including many immigrants. Cobb and Douglas Public Health provides vaccinations and public health services.

As throughout the United States, the system is private and requires health insurance. Large employers offer plans through Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna. Those without insurance can access programs such as Medicaid (for low-income individuals), Medicare (for older adults), or plans purchased on the federal marketplace. Newly arrived immigrants are advised to compare plans carefully before selecting coverage.

A car is practically essential in Marietta. The main thoroughfares are Cobb Parkway (US-41), I-75 cutting through the city connecting Atlanta to the north, and Marietta Parkway encircling the historic center. Rush-hour traffic on I-75 is heavy, with intense flow to and from Atlanta.

CobbLinc operates local bus routes connecting major neighborhoods to the Marietta Transfer Center, and express buses run to MARTA stations in Atlanta such as Arts Center. Cobb County has historically declined to integrate with MARTA, so the rail system does not reach here. Commuting to Atlanta without a car by combining express bus and MARTA is possible but time-consuming.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), one of the world's busiest, is about 45 minutes to the south. Dobbins Air Reserve Base is military and does not offer commercial service. Dedicated bike lanes are limited, though trails like the Silver Comet Trail, which begins near Smyrna and runs through the region, are popular for recreational cycling.

Cultural life in Marietta revolves around the historic square. The Earl Smith Strand Theatre, a restored art deco venue, presents classic films, live music, and theatrical performances. The Marietta Museum of History traces the city's story from the pre-Civil War era, and the Gone With the Wind Museum draws fans of Margaret Mitchell's novel.

Traditional Southern food appears at classic spots like Marietta Diner. The dining scene has modernized in recent years, with chef-driven restaurants, craft breweries (Schoolhouse Brewing), and international influences. Vietnamese pho, Mexican taquerias, Ethiopian restaurants, and Indian eateries are spread along Cobb Parkway.

Annual events mark the calendar. The Marietta Square Art Walk takes place in May, Taste of Marietta in late April brings dozens of restaurants to the square, and Christmas markets light up the bandstand. The National Cemetery, with Civil War soldiers, holds ceremonies on Memorial Day. The North Georgia State Fair takes place in Marietta in late September.

Marietta's immigrant community is part of the larger mosaic of Greater Atlanta, one of the most diverse metropolitan areas in the American Southeast. Hispanics form the largest group, with Mexicans, Salvadorans, Guatemalans, and Venezuelans visible in businesses along Cobb Parkway and Franklin Gateway. Hispanic Catholic churches and evangelical temples serve this population.

The Asian presence includes Vietnamese, Korean, Indian, and Chinese communities, with their own restaurants and grocery stores mainly along Buford Highway (about 20 minutes away) and on Cobb Parkway. The Indian community maintains the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in nearby Lilburn. Ethiopians and Eritreans, part of the largest such community in the U.S., have Orthodox churches and restaurants in the area.

Brazilians, though a smaller minority, have a growing presence in Greater Atlanta, with evangelical churches, restaurants such as Fogo de Chão in Atlanta, and bakeries. Organizations such as the Latin American Association, Center for Pan Asian Community Services, and Catholic Charities Atlanta provide legal services, English classes, and support for newcomers in multiple languages.