One Broke Actress Podcast: LA vs. NYC vs. ATL vs. Chicago - A Deep Dive into the Price of Life + Acting in Different Markets

Release Date: October 31, 2024
Host: Sam Valentine
Co-Host: Gabrielle Benloss

Introduction to the Topic

In this episode of the One Broke Actress Podcast, host Sam Valentine and co-host Gabrielle Benloss delve into a comparative analysis of living and acting in four major U.S. cities: Los Angeles (LA), New York City (NYC), Atlanta (ATL), and Chicago. The discussion centers around the financial, mental, and physical aspects of living in these markets as an actor, aiming to provide actionable insights for aspiring and working actors.

Choosing Atlanta: Personal Experiences and Cost Considerations

Sam and Gabrielle begin by sharing their personal ties to Atlanta, emphasizing the lower cost of living compared to LA and NYC. Gabrielle highlights the significance of having a stable home base, stating:

"I just never shifted from that experience because I liked the idea of having a home base that I could always afford regardless of how much money I was making. And that felt like it was Atlanta."
(05:23)

Sam echoes this sentiment, discussing her journey from LA to Atlanta and the factors that influenced her decision, such as the desire for stability and community.

Cost of Living Breakdown

The hosts present a detailed comparison of monthly living expenses in each city, covering rent, car costs, groceries, acting-related expenses, utilities, and sales tax.

Los Angeles

• Rent: $2,500 - $2,600 (alone) | $1,500 - $1,600 (with roommates)
• Car Expenses: ~$400
• Groceries: ~$500
• Acting Costs: $650 - $700
• Utilities & Miscellaneous: ~$500
• Sales Tax: 10.25%

Total Estimated Monthly Cost: Approximately $4,000*

"For our Los Angeles market, you're looking at... $3,650 and $375 in tax. So you're looking at about four grand to exist every month."
(14:33)

Atlanta

• Rent: $2,300 (solo) | $1,100 (roommates)
• Car Expenses: ~$500
• Groceries: $550 - $600 (Whole Foods recommended for quality)
• Acting Costs: ~$600
• Utilities & Miscellaneous: ~$400
• Sales Tax: 8.9%

Total Estimated Monthly Cost: Approximately $3,267*

"For a roommate place, all of that good stuff in Atlanta, you're looking at closer to $3,267. How's that sound?"
(20:52)

Chicago

• Rent: ~$2,800 (alone) | ~$1,400 (with roommates)
• Public Transportation: ~$75 (monthly subway pass)
• Car Expenses: ~$450
• Groceries: ~$500
• Acting Costs: ~$600
• Utilities & Miscellaneous: ~$450
• Sales Tax: 10.25%

Total Estimated Monthly Cost: Approximately $3,560*

"So your total for Chicago with tax is looking about $3,560 a month on the low end."
(23:29)

New York City

• Rent: ~$3,000 (solo) | ~$2,000 (with roommates)
• Public Transportation: ~$150 (monthly subway pass)
• Car Expenses: Not recommended; reliance on public transit
• Groceries: ~$600
• Acting Costs: ~$700
• Utilities & Miscellaneous: ~$600
• Sales Tax: 10.9%

Total Estimated Monthly Cost: Approximately $4,060*

"So your sales tax is almost 11%. So that comes out to 4,006, $60 a month."
(30:37)

Acting Market Insights and Production Listings

Sam and Gabrielle examine the number of active film and TV productions in each city based on SAG (Screen Actors Guild) listings, revealing discrepancies, especially concerning Atlanta.

• New York City: 23 films, 80 TV shows, 34 agnostic projects
• Chicago: 1 film, 7 TV shows, 7 agnostic projects
• Los Angeles: 72 films, 133 TV shows, 36 agnostic projects
• Atlanta: Reported 4 films, 14 TV shows, 1 agnostic project (disputed by Gabrielle)

Gabrielle expresses skepticism about the accuracy of Atlanta's production numbers:

"Tyler Perry alone has 14 TV shows that are filming right now."
(34:30)

She argues that Atlanta's market has been underestimated and highlights the robust commercial industry present in the city, which isn't fully captured by SAG's listings.

Implications for Actors

The hosts discuss the financial challenges actors face despite varying living costs. They emphasize the importance of budgeting and considering long-term career sustainability over solely chasing auditions in high-profile markets like LA and NYC.

Gabrielle warns against the outdated notion that moving to Atlanta is merely a stepping stone to LA or NYC:

"Atlanta's market has been here for a long time. We are a homegrown market... The relationships that that talent has... they can trust me."
(08:53)

Sam adds that actors should base their decisions on where they want to live rather than financial projections alone:

"Go down to where you want to live your life. Start there."
(40:05)

Data Accuracy and Audience Engagement

Throughout the episode, Sam and Gabrielle critique the reliability of publicly available data on acting markets, especially concerning Atlanta. They encourage listeners to share their experiences and provide updated information via comments on Spotify, YouTube, or Instagram.

"I think that planning for this to be your number indefinitely is not a good idea."
(11:20)

Conclusions and Final Thoughts

The episode concludes with Sam and Gabrielle reinforcing the notion that actors should prioritize their quality of life and personal preferences when choosing where to live and work. They stress the importance of building a supportive community and being mindful of the financial realities of an acting career.

Sam encapsulates their findings:

"These numbers are really important for actors to think about because... you shouldn't come to LA for two years to try and use this number."
(38:51)

Gabrielle adds:

*"If you struggle with anything that's like seasonal depression or anxiety... it's not going to fix."

But hearing all these numbers, I'm so glad you did because it gives people information that they can choose what to do with."*
(32:24)

Key Takeaways

• Cost of Living: While Atlanta offers a lower cost of living compared to LA and NYC, the difference may not be as significant when considering all expenses.
• Acting Markets: LA and NYC remain the primary hubs with the most active productions, but Atlanta's market is growing and potentially underestimated.
• Personal Choice: Actors should choose their base based on lifestyle preferences and community support, not just financial calculations.
• Data Reliability: Production listings and cost analyses may not fully capture the nuances of each market, particularly Atlanta's dynamic scene.

Notable Quotes

• "Atlanta's market has been here for a long time. We are a homegrown market..." — Gabrielle Benloss (08:53)
• "These numbers are really important for actors to think about because..." — Sam Valentine (38:51)
• "Go down to where you want to live your life. Start there." — Sam Valentine (40:05)

For more insights and detailed discussions, subscribe to the One Broke Actress Podcast on Spotify.