Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,576 in Georgia versus $1,357 in Virginia. Overall, Virginia runs roughly 14% cheaper on rent than Georgia, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $81,938 in Georgia and $90,685 in Virginia — about 10% 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
$1,576
$1,357
+14% in Georgia
Median Home Value
$420,600
$366,300
+13% in Georgia
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$81,938
$90,685
+11% in Virginia
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
62.6°F
59.9°F
+2.7°F in Georgia
Georgia vs Virginia — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Georgia or Virginia?
- Virginia is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,357 runs about 14% below Georgia's $1,576, 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 $63,000 a year in Georgia versus $54,000 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 1/1 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.