Experts in action: Inside Atlanta’s growth

Atlanta has quietly become one of the most closely watched markets in the country. Between mid-2024 and mid-2025, the metro added roughly 62,000 people, making it the third-fastest-growing major metro by sheer numbers, behind only Houston and Dallas.

Paige Fogle, Regional Account Manager in Atlanta, says there are a number of factors that have pushed Atlanta to sixth in the national population rankings. Low cost of living, strong business migration, and growth across key industries is attracting more people to Atlanta each year.

For companies weighing where to plant or expand, those factors aren't just trivia. They signal momentum that's reshaping how, where, and at what pace business gets done.

Why Atlanta is emerging as a key growth market

Fogle says cost and climate are two big reasons why Atlanta is so attractive. Georgia has been ranked the top state to do business for 12 consecutive years. The cost of operating here, from rent to wages to utilities, runs meaningfully lower than in Northeastern and West Coast hubs.

That math is drawing companies that want room to grow without coastal overhead. Recent arrivals and expansions tell the story: Mercedes-Benz, Yamaha, Sage, Rivian, and the U.S. Soccer Federation have all made moves into the region. The local economy is also diverse by design, spanning logistics, fintech, film, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences, which cushions it against any single sector's downturn.

But growth changes what clients need, and we're seeing that shift firsthand.

Adapting to client needs

The clearest trend among companies based in Atlanta, says Fogle, is the move toward flexibility. Companies no longer want to lock into rigid, long-term footprints. They want space that can scale up or down as headcount and strategy evolve.

In the first quarter of 2026, suburban submarkets captured more than 70% of metro Atlanta's office leasing activity, a sign that demand is spreading well beyond the traditional downtown core. Here's where local knowledge matters most. Atlanta is not one market; it's many. Zoning, infrastructure, and workforce availability vary block by block. National players often miss this nuance, treating Atlanta as a single data point rather than a patchwork of distinct submarkets, each with its own rhythm.

Mixed-use developments that combine what Fogle calls “live work play” in one place are setting the new standard. Residential, retail, and office space in the same place gives employees an easier commute and amenities right at their fingertips.

Employee experience is driving these decisions more than any mandate. Companies are investing in better-quality space in better locations, and they're moving quickly when the right space becomes available, often renewing or expanding leases well ahead of schedule to lock in certainty.

That's the real takeaway for any company expanding here. Choosing the right submarket, planning for long-term growth, and understanding local workforce dynamics make the difference between a smooth entry and a costly misstep.

Atlanta's momentum is real, but capturing it takes both a national perspective and on-the-ground insight. The companies that succeed here are the ones who pair big-picture strategy with partners who know Atlanta best.

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