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Cost of Living · Georgia

Atlanta Cost of Living

Atlanta, Georgia costs approximately 2.0% above the US national average. Compare with 99 other major US cities.

1.02×
cost-of-living index (1.00 = US national average)
Atlanta ranks 1 of 1 cities in Georgia by cost of living.
Cities MORE expensive than Atlanta (32)
San Francisco, CA
+42.2% more expensive
Oakland, CA
+32.4% more expensive
New York City, NY
+29.4% more expensive
Honolulu, HI
+27.5% more expensive
Irvine, CA
+27.5% more expensive
Los Angeles, CA
+19.6% more expensive
Boston, MA
+19.6% more expensive
San Diego, CA
+18.6% more expensive
Yonkers, NY
+17.6% more expensive
Anchorage, AK
+17.6% more expensive
Seattle, WA
+15.7% more expensive
Long Beach, CA
+15.7% more expensive
Anaheim, CA
+15.7% more expensive
Scottsdale, AZ
+15.7% more expensive
Chula Vista, CA
+12.7% more expensive
Miami, FL
+9.8% more expensive
Portland, OR
+7.8% more expensive
Newark, NJ
+7.8% more expensive
Sacramento, CA
+7.8% more expensive
Riverside, CA
+7.8% more expensive
Denver, CO
+5.9% more expensive
Chicago, IL
+2.9% more expensive
Austin, TX
+2.9% more expensive
Baltimore, MD
+2.9% more expensive
Stockton, CA
+2.9% more expensive
Aurora, CO
+2.9% more expensive
Hialeah, FL
+2.9% more expensive
Frisco, TX
+2.9% more expensive
Las Vegas, NV
+2.0% more expensive
Minneapolis, MN
+2.0% more expensive
Plano, TX
+2.0% more expensive
Chandler, AZ
+2.0% more expensive
Cities CHEAPER than Atlanta (59)
Orlando, FL
−1.0% cheaper
Wilmington, DE
−2.0% cheaper
Raleigh, NC
−2.0% cheaper
Virginia Beach, VA
−2.0% cheaper
St. Paul, MN
−2.0% cheaper
Chesapeake, VA
−2.0% cheaper
North Las Vegas, NV
−2.0% cheaper
Boise, ID
−2.0% cheaper
Fresno, CA
−2.0% cheaper
Worcester, MA
−2.0% cheaper
Dallas, TX
−2.9% cheaper
Nashville, TN
−2.9% cheaper
Colorado Springs, CO
−2.9% cheaper
Bakersfield, CA
−2.9% cheaper
St. Petersburg, FL
−2.9% cheaper
Madison, WI
−2.9% cheaper
Norfolk, VA
−3.9% cheaper
Jacksonville, FL
−4.9% cheaper
Charlotte, NC
−4.9% cheaper
Mesa, AZ
−4.9% cheaper
Houston, TX
−5.9% cheaper
Fort Worth, TX
−5.9% cheaper
Tucson, AZ
−5.9% cheaper
Glendale, AZ
−5.9% cheaper
Garland, TX
−5.9% cheaper
Spokane, WA
−5.9% cheaper
Pittsburgh, PA
−6.9% cheaper
Arlington, TX
−6.9% cheaper
Tallahassee, FL
−6.9% cheaper
Milwaukee, WI
−7.8% cheaper
Albuquerque, NM
−7.8% cheaper
New Orleans, LA
−7.8% cheaper
San Antonio, TX
−8.8% cheaper
Grand Rapids, MI
−8.8% cheaper
Columbus, OH
−9.8% cheaper
Detroit, MI
−9.8% cheaper
Cincinnati, OH
−9.8% cheaper
Kansas City, MO
−9.8% cheaper
Lexington, KY
−9.8% cheaper
Corpus Christi, TX
−9.8% cheaper
Buffalo, NY
−9.8% cheaper
Greensboro, NC
−9.8% cheaper
Knoxville, TN
−9.8% cheaper
El Paso, TX
−10.8% cheaper
Cleveland, OH
−10.8% cheaper
St. Louis, MO
−10.8% cheaper
Winston-Salem, NC
−10.8% cheaper
Indianapolis, IN
−11.8% cheaper
Louisville, KY
−11.8% cheaper
Omaha, NE
−11.8% cheaper
Memphis, TN
−12.7% cheaper
Oklahoma City, OK
−12.7% cheaper
Lincoln, NE
−12.7% cheaper
Birmingham, AL
−13.7% cheaper
Toledo, OH
−13.7% cheaper
Lubbock, TX
−13.7% cheaper
Wichita, KS
−15.7% cheaper
Fort Wayne, IN
−15.7% cheaper
Mobile, AL
−15.7% cheaper

What living in Atlanta costs

At 1.02x national costs, Atlanta is more expensive than 59 and cheaper than 32 of the 99 other metros here. In practical terms that is $1,550 a month for a one-bedroom and roughly $410,000 to buy.

The price-to-rent ratio here is roughly 22, which is high. Above about 20, renting and investing the down payment usually beats buying over a normal holding period — the purchase price is steep relative to what the same property earns as a rental.

Working and living here

Atlanta is a metro of roughly 6.3M and growing fast, running on logistics/aviation, corporate headquarters, film/TV production. Larger employers include Delta Air Lines, The Home Depot, Coca-Cola.

Georgia taxes income at the state level, and Atlanta adds no separate city tax. Cost-of-living indexes exclude income tax entirely, so compare after-tax figures rather than index ratios when weighing this metro against one in a no-income-tax state.

Getting around: Atlanta is served by limited transit. Budget for a car — around $9,000 a year all-in once insurance, fuel, maintenance and parking are counted, a cost the index assumes but does not itemise.

Climate: Humid subtropical: January highs near 52°F/lows 34°F, July highs near 89°F/lows 71°F, humid summers with frequent thunderstorms.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International is the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic, anchoring the metro's logistics economy; Georgia's flat state income tax (5.39% in 2024, phasing toward 4.99%) applies with no added city tax.

Related tools

Paycheck calculator — take-home after federal, state and local tax. Salary calculator — pay by job and state. Compare against another metro.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Atlanta expensive to live in?▾
Relative to the US average, roughly average — the cost index is 1.02x, above 59 and below 32 of the 99 other metros tracked here. A one-bedroom averages $1,550 a month and the median home $410,000.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Atlanta?▾
A common rule keeps rent under 30% of gross income, which at $1,550 a month implies about $62,000 a year for a one-bedroom. That is a floor rather than a comfortable figure — it leaves nothing for savings or the car this metro effectively requires.