Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $916 in Georgia versus $782 in Indiana. Overall, Indiana runs roughly 15% cheaper on rent than Georgia, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $56,622 in Georgia and $60,293 in Indiana — about 6% higher in Indiana. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
7%
+3.0 pp in Indiana
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
2.95%
+2.2 pp in Georgia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$916
$782
+15% in Georgia
Median Home Value
$182,300
$169,700
+7% in Georgia
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$56,622
$60,293
+6% in Indiana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
65.2°F
53.2°F
+12.0°F in Georgia
Georgia vs Indiana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Georgia or Indiana?
- Indiana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $782 runs about 15% below Georgia's $916, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Georgia than in Indiana?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Georgia versus $31,000 in Indiana.
- Which has lower taxes, Georgia or Indiana?
- Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Georgia/Indiana — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.