Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Baltimore?

Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Baltimore?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $43,000 in Baltimore.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Baltimore?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Baltimore under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Baltimore Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,740/mo est.

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,410/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,740 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,410 in Baltimore, MD. Overall, Baltimore, MD is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $59,623 in Baltimore, MD — about 27% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Baltimore, MD

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,050

+37% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,073

+32% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,353

+20% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,555

+0% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$219,300

+48% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$59,623

+27% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$59,070

+15% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

36.1 yr

+2.1 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

46.3%

47.5%

+1.2 pp in Baltimore, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

35.4%

+23.0 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

29.4 min

+2.6 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.5

1,616.7

+168% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

3,548.3

4,202.6

+18% in Baltimore, MD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

62.6°F

61.4°F

+1.2°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

42.4 in

+7.3 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.30/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

$2.00

+20% in Atlanta, GA

Adult base one-way fare — MARTA vs MTA Maryland (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.0

35.9

+139% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.41

$17.19

+7% in Atlanta, GA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.16

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.73

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

about equal

Average prices — South vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / MD)

+2.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

6.50%

+1.3 pp in MD

Atlanta vs Baltimore — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Baltimore?: Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Baltimore?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $43,000 in Baltimore.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Baltimore?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Baltimore under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).