Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $916 in Georgia versus $1,195 in Virginia. Overall, Georgia runs roughly 23% cheaper on rent than Virginia, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $56,622 in Georgia and $64,017 in Virginia — about 12% higher in Virginia. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
5.3%
+1.3 pp in Virginia
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
5.75%
+0.6 pp in Virginia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$916
$1,195
+30% in Virginia
Median Home Value
$182,300
$328,100
+80% in Virginia
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$56,622
$64,017
+13% in Virginia
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
65.2°F
59.9°F
+5.3°F in Georgia
Georgia vs Virginia — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Georgia or Virginia?
- Georgia is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $916 runs about 23% below Virginia's $1,195, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Georgia than in Virginia?
- 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 $48,000 in Virginia.
- Which has lower taxes, Georgia or Virginia?
- Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Georgia/Virginia — 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.