Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,576 in Georgia versus $1,858 in Washington. Overall, Georgia runs roughly 15% cheaper on rent than Washington, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $81,938 in Georgia and $121,984 in Washington — about 33% higher in Washington. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
6.5%
+2.5 pp in Washington
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
None
+5.2 pp in Georgia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,576
$1,858
+18% in Washington
Median Home Value
$420,600
$912,100
+117% in Washington
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$81,938
$121,984
+49% in Washington
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
62.6°F
53.5°F
+9.1°F in Georgia
Georgia vs Washington — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Georgia or Washington?
- Georgia is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,576 runs about 15% below Washington's $1,858, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Georgia than in Washington?
- 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 $74,000 in Washington.
- Which has lower taxes, Georgia or Washington?
- Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Georgia/Washington — 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.