Atlanta vs Dallas
Cost of Living (2026)

Dallas is 3% more affordable than Atlanta. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Georgia's 5.75%.

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At a glance

Atlanta, GA

COL index99
State income tax5.75%
Avg 1BR rent$1,550/mo
Median home price$390K
VS

Dallas, TX

COL index96 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,380/mo ✓
Median home price$340K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAtlanta indexDallas indexDifference
Housing129125 ✓-4%
Groceries9491 ✓-3%
Transportation9592 ✓-3%
Healthcare9693 ✓-3%
Utilities9593 ✓-2%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Atlanta → Dallas

What salary in Dallas gives you the same purchasing power as your Atlanta salary?

Salary in AtlantaEquivalent in DallasDifference
$60,000$53,000$-7,000
$80,000$71,000$-9,000
$100,000$89,000$-11,000
$130,000$116,000$-14,000
$150,000$134,000$-16,000
$200,000$178,000$-22,000

Atlanta vs Dallas: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Atlanta, GA and Dallas, TX, Dallas comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 96 versus 99 for Atlanta — a difference of approximately 3%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Dallas workers an immediate 5.75% take-home pay advantage over Atlanta workers who pay Georgia's 5.75% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Atlanta is $390,000, compared to $340,000 in Dallas. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,550/month in Atlanta versus $1,380/month in Dallas.

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