Marietta is the county seat of Cobb County and one of metro Atlanta's most distinctive suburbs — a historic 1830s downtown square, a top-rated city school district, and easy access to I-75 and the Atlanta core. Here's what newcomers should know before move day.
Where Marietta sits
Marietta is roughly 20 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta along I-75. Off-peak, the drive to Midtown is 25–30 minutes; rush hour stretches that to 45–60. The city covers about 23 square miles with a population near 61,000, ringed by unincorporated Cobb County (which feeds into a different school district).
Schools: Marietta City vs. Cobb County
This is the most important thing newcomers miss. The City of Marietta operates its own school district — Marietta City Schools — separate from Cobb County Schools. Marietta High School is the city's only public high school and is consistently top-ranked in Georgia. Homes inside the city limits feed into MCS; homes just outside feed into Cobb County Schools (also strong, particularly Walton, Pope, and Lassiter on the east side).
Neighborhoods to know
Marietta Square / Whitlock — historic homes, walkable to the square, premium prices. · Kennesaw Mountain — west side, near the battlefield park, larger lots. · East Cobb (unincorporated) — Walton/Pope school zones, wealthier, larger homes. · West Cobb — newer subdivisions, family-priced. · Powers Ferry corridor — close-in, mid-century homes, value play.
Cost of living
Median home price in Marietta runs around $500K as of 2026, with significant variation — historic Whitlock homes can clear $1M, while inner-loop ranches start in the $375K range. Property taxes in the City of Marietta combine Cobb County and Marietta city millage; expect roughly 1.1% of assessed value annually.
Commute
I-75 South is the spine. The reversible HOT lanes (Northwest Corridor Express Lanes) help southbound morning and northbound evening commutes considerably. There's no MARTA heavy rail in Cobb, but CobbLinc bus service runs limited routes; most residents drive.
What to do
Marietta Square is the social center — Strand Theatre, Marietta Square Market food hall, weekend farmers market, Glover Park concerts. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (technically just over the line in Kennesaw) is the best outdoor escape. The Big Chicken on Cobb Parkway is the city's most beloved landmark for reasons that defy explanation to outsiders.
Move-day logistics
Most Marietta homes are single-family on driveways — straightforward access for a 26-foot truck. The historic homes around the square need door-jamb pads and floor runners for original hardwoods. Newer subdivisions in East and West Cobb often have HOA move-in notification requirements but rarely formal COI demands. Bears Moving Co. handles the route planning, HOA paperwork, and protective wrap on every Marietta booking.
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Yes — Marietta consistently ranks among Georgia's best places to live, with top-rated Marietta City Schools, a walkable historic square, and 25-minute access to Atlanta off-peak.
Median home price is around $500K. Property tax rate combines Cobb County and Marietta city millage at roughly 1.1% of assessed value. Overall cost of living is moderately above the national average but below intown Atlanta.
Off-peak, the drive from Marietta to Midtown Atlanta is 25–30 minutes via I-75. Rush hour can stretch the commute to 45–60 minutes; the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes help significantly.
Marietta City Schools (the district serving homes inside city limits) is among the top-rated districts in Georgia. Marietta High School is the only public high school in the district and ranks consistently in the state's top tier.