Atlanta vs El Paso
Cost of Living (2026)

El Paso is 17% 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

El Paso, TX

COL index82 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$850/mo ✓
Median home price$190K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAtlanta indexEl Paso indexDifference
Housing129106 ✓-23%
Groceries9478 ✓-16%
Transportation9580 ✓-15%
Healthcare9680 ✓-16%
Utilities9582 ✓-13%

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

Salary equivalency: Atlanta → El Paso

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

Salary in AtlantaEquivalent in El PasoDifference
$60,000$46,000$-14,000
$80,000$61,000$-19,000
$100,000$76,000$-24,000
$130,000$99,000$-31,000
$150,000$114,000$-36,000
$200,000$152,000$-48,000

Atlanta vs El Paso: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Atlanta, GA and El Paso, TX, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 99 for Atlanta — a difference of approximately 17%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso 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 $190,000 in El Paso. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,550/month in Atlanta versus $850/month in El Paso.

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