Los Angeles vs Atlanta
Cost of Living (2026)

Atlanta is 39% more affordable than Los Angeles.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Los Angeles, CA

COL index163
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$2,600/mo
Median home price$850K
VS

Atlanta, GA

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryLos Angeles indexAtlanta indexDifference
Housing215129 ✓-86%
Groceries15394 ✓-59%
Transportation15195 ✓-56%
Healthcare15796 ✓-61%
Utilities14595 ✓-50%

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

Salary equivalency: Los Angeles → Atlanta

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

Salary in Los AngelesEquivalent in AtlantaDifference
$60,000$34,000$-26,000
$80,000$46,000$-34,000
$100,000$57,000$-43,000
$130,000$75,000$-55,000
$150,000$86,000$-64,000
$200,000$115,000$-85,000

Los Angeles vs Atlanta: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Los Angeles, CA and Atlanta, GA, Atlanta comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 99 versus 163 for Los Angeles — a difference of approximately 39%.

State income tax impact

Los Angeles workers pay 9.3% California state income tax, while Atlanta workers pay 5.75%.

Housing costs

The median home price in Los Angeles is $850,000, compared to $390,000 in Atlanta. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,600/month in Los Angeles versus $1,550/month in Atlanta.

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