Cost of Living in Atlanta
Overall index: 105.2 — 13 points above Georgia average. Georgia statewide average: 92.2.
Where your money goes in Atlanta
Estimated spending breakdown on a $75,000 salary in Atlanta
Estimated annual spending: $68,087($6,913 remaining)
What things cost in Atlanta
| Item | Atlanta | Georgia avg | US avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $380,000 | $310,000 | $360,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,700/mo | $1,116/mo | $1,400/mo |
| Gas (regular) | $3.32/gal | $3.32/gal | $3.50/gal |
| Electric bill | $101/mo | $101/mo | $137/mo |
| Infant childcare | $13,500/yr | $11,863/yr | $13,500/yr |
Index by category
Atlanta vs Georgia statewide. National average = 100.
FAQ
What is the cost of living in Atlanta?
Atlanta has an overall cost-of-living index of 105.2 (national average = 100). This is higher than the Georgia statewide average of 92.2. Median home prices are $380,000 and average 2BR rent is $1,700/month.
Is Atlanta expensive to live in?
Atlanta is near the national average with an index of 105.2.
How much does rent cost in Atlanta?
Average 2-bedroom rent in Atlanta is $1,700/month, compared to the national average of $1,400/month and the Georgia statewide average of $1,116/month.
What salary do I need to live in Atlanta?
A $75,000 salary at the national average cost of living is equivalent to $78,900 in Atlanta. Your money goes about as far or further than the national average.
Where does this data come from?
Metro-level data combines BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), C2ER COLI metro indices (2025), Zillow ZHVI/ZORI metro data (2024-2025), and state-level data from MERIC, AAA, EIA, and Child Care Aware.
Related tools
- Georgia Cost of Living — Statewide averages and all metro areas
- Georgia Paycheck Calculator — Calculate take-home pay
- House Affordability in Georgia — How much house can you afford?
- Compare any two states
Metro-level data from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), C2ER COLI (2025), and Zillow ZHVI (2024-2025). Where metro data is unavailable, Georgia statewide averages are used.