Atlanta vs Phoenix
Cost of Living (2026)

Atlanta is 1% less expensive than Phoenix.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Atlanta, GA

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

Phoenix, AZ

COL index100
State income tax2.5% ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,450/mo ✓
Median home price$395K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAtlanta indexPhoenix indexDifference
Housing129 ✓130+1%
Groceries94 ✓95+1%
Transportation95 ✓96+1%
Healthcare96 ✓97+1%
Utilities95 ✓96+1%

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

Salary equivalency: Atlanta → Phoenix

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

Salary in AtlantaEquivalent in PhoenixDifference
$60,000$58,000$-2,000
$80,000$77,000$-3,000
$100,000$96,000$-4,000
$130,000$125,000$-5,000
$150,000$144,000$-6,000
$200,000$192,000$-8,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Atlanta, GA and Phoenix, AZ, Atlanta comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 99 versus 100 for Phoenix — a difference of approximately 1%.

State income tax impact

Atlanta workers pay 5.75% Georgia state income tax, while Phoenix workers pay 2.5%.

Housing costs

The median home price in Atlanta is $390,000, compared to $395,000 in Phoenix. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,550/month in Atlanta versus $1,450/month in Phoenix.

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