Denver vs Atlanta
Cost of Living (2026)

Atlanta is 16% more affordable than Denver.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Denver, CO

COL index118
State income tax4.55% ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,800/mo
Median home price$545K
VS

Atlanta, GA

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryDenver indexAtlanta indexDifference
Housing154129 ✓-25%
Groceries11294 ✓-18%
Transportation11295 ✓-17%
Healthcare11496 ✓-18%
Utilities11095 ✓-15%

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

Salary equivalency: Denver → Atlanta

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

Salary in DenverEquivalent in AtlantaDifference
$60,000$51,000$-9,000
$80,000$68,000$-12,000
$100,000$85,000$-15,000
$130,000$111,000$-19,000
$150,000$128,000$-22,000
$200,000$171,000$-29,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Denver, CO and Atlanta, GA, Atlanta comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 99 versus 118 for Denver — a difference of approximately 16%.

State income tax impact

Denver workers pay 4.55% Colorado state income tax, while Atlanta workers pay 5.75%.

Housing costs

The median home price in Denver is $545,000, compared to $390,000 in Atlanta. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,800/month in Denver versus $1,550/month in Atlanta.

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