Living Cost Compare
Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/mo est.

vs
Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,780 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,160 in Bellevue, NE. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $87,343 in Bellevue, NE — about 6% higher in Bellevue, NE. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA
Bellevue, NE

Rent

Studio
$1,669
$1,106
+34% in Atlanta, GA
1 Bedroom
$1,576
$1,008
+36% in Atlanta, GA
2 Bedroom
$1,701
$1,190
+30% in Atlanta, GA
3 Bedroom
$1,557
$1,660
+7% in Bellevue, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$420,600
$230,800
+45% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income
$81,938
$87,343
+7% in Bellevue, NE
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,170
$49,660
+3% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.0 yr
36.1 yr
+2.1 yr in Bellevue, NE
Homeownership
46.3%
65.5%
+19.2 pp in Bellevue, NE
Bachelor's+ (25+)
58.4%
33.4%
+25.0 pp in Atlanta, GA
Avg Commute
26.8 min
20.8 min
+6.0 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
603.7
100.8
+83% in Atlanta, GA
Property Crime
3,548.3
1,149.4
+68% in Atlanta, GA

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
51.1°F
+11.5°F in Atlanta, GA
Annual Precipitation
49.7 in
30.6 in
+19.1 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.94/gal
+2% in Bellevue, NE

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.50
—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.8
13.6
+14% in Atlanta, GA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$33.28
$15.53
+53% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Bellevue, NE
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.66
+5% in Atlanta, GA
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$3.63
+64% in Bellevue, NE
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.77
+5% in Bellevue, NE
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.10
+10% in Bellevue, NE
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NE)
4%
5.5%
+1.5 pp in NE
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
4.55%
+0.6 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Bellevue — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Bellevue?
Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Bellevue?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $40,000 in Bellevue.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Bellevue?
Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Bellevue under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).