Marietta, GA Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Marietta, GA: What You Need to Know

Marietta is located in the foothills of the beautiful Kennesaw Mountain in northwestern Georgia. It’s one of Atlanta’s largest suburbs, only 18 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta. 

The Local History

Established in 1834, Marietta is the seat of Cobb County, named in honor of Thomas Willis Cobb, a prominent legislator, and judge of the Georgia Supreme Court. In turn, Marietta got its name from Cobb’s wife, Mary. Marietta was heavily damaged during the Civil War when Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman invaded the town in June 1864, and Gen. Hugh Kilpatrick set it ablaze later that year.

Marietta’s Culture

Marietta is known for its beloved Big Chicken landmark, which towers along Cobb Parkway. A restaurant built the 56-foot, goggled-eyed chicken in 1963 to attract customers. A Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise eventually took over the restaurant, saving the sculpture. A storm in 1993 damaged it, but residents objected to taking it down. They rely on it as a landmark (e.g., “take a right at the Big Chicken” or “go past the Big Chicken”). Local pilots, too, have gotten used to using the sculpture to chart their course.   

The Cost of Living in Marietta

Marietta’s cost of living is within 0.1% of the national average, better than its big neighbor Atlanta. Marietta’s food and housing costs are 3.5% and 4.1% higher than the national average respectively. The city’s median gross rent is $1,048. In Georgia, residents pay 1% to 5.75% in income tax and 4% to 9% in statewide sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

As an Atlanta suburb, Marietta (population: 60,867) offers access to big-city amenities and job opportunities. The only downside: traffic congestion. If you prefer to live outside Marietta, check out Vinings, known for its highly rated schools and lush scenery. The majority of residents in both Marietta and Vinings are renters. Families are attracted to nearby Smyrna for its great schools and affordable housing options.

Things to Do in Marietta

The Marietta Museum of History showcases the area’s Native American culture and early gold mining industry. The museum is located in the Kennesaw House, built as a cotton warehouse in 1845. Despite the city’s devastation during the Civil War, it has preserved many historic properties, including the Kennesaw House, one of its oldest buildings. Catch a performance at the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, an art deco building. It was a movie theater from 1935 to 1976. Today it serves as a cultural center by hosting concerts, stage productions, and classic films.