Cost of living: Are background extras getting a better deal working and living in Atlanta versus Los Angeles?
Most people argue that extras in Georgia get paid less than extras in California because, the cost of living in Atlanta is cheaper than the cost of living in Los Angeles. But, is that even true?
The 2-Bedroom Apartment Study
A recent study compared the average renter’s wage in each U.S. state to the wage that would be needed to afford an average 2-bedroom apartment. The results of the study found that a large majority of people cannot afford the rent in many states.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition released it’s Out of Reach study in May. The study found that the states with the largest gap between, the average wage needed for a 2-bedroom and the typical pay earned by renters, included Hawaii, Maryland and Vermont.
In Hawaii, for example, the study found that you would need to make about $31.61/hour to afford a two bedroom apartment, while the average person in Hawaii only earned less than $15.00 an hour.
‘The data in Out of Reach is sobering,’ Oregon Governor Kate Brown wrote. ‘There simply isn’t enough reasonably priced, decently maintained housing to meet the demand, and rapidly rising rents outpace wages. As a result, one out of four households spends more than half their income on housing costs.’
This problem is not really a state’s issue but more of a national crisis. As City Lab points out, the average American currently needs to earn $19.35 to afford a two-bedroom apartment, while the average pay earned by American renters is $15.16 while the federal minimum wage is just $7.25 – let alone the pay for a typical background extra.
But, what about the cost of living in Los Angeles in comparison to Atlanta?
The study argues that a typical person in California needs to make $26.65/hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment while, the same person would need to earn $15.71/hour in Georgia. If we assume the cost of living in both states is related to the wage necessary to live in a two-bedroom apartment, then we get the following result – the cost of living difference between California and Georgia is $10.94. Therefore, Hollywood producers should pay their extras about $11 more per hour in California.
As we pointed out in our article a few months ago, a typical union background extra in Los Angeles earns approximately $18.50/hour. While, the average background extra in Atlanta earns typically, $8/hour – that is a difference of $10.50. Therefore, someone could argue that an Atlanta extra does better than a Los Angeles extra because the cost of living is so much cheaper despite getting paid $10 less.
In addition, according to numbeo, “You would need around 4,754.97$ in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with 3,900.00$ in Atlanta, GA (assuming you rent in both cities).”
Essentially, Hollywood pays Los Angeles union extras more money to account for the higher cost of living. However, the study still illustrates the bigger issue about the pay for background extras, it’s not enough.
When a career option does not give you enough money to afford a traditional, well-maintained and safe two-bedroom apartment, two things have to happen, either you get another job, or the job has to start paying you more.
What do you think? Should is it better to live in Los Angeles or Atlanta? Do you think background extras should get paid more? Discuss this story with fellow Project Casting fans on Facebook. On Twitter, follow us at @projectcasting.
