Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Boise?

Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $45,000 in Boise.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Boise?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Boise Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/mo est.

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $81,308 in Boise, ID — about 1% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Boise, ID

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,021

+39% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,133

+28% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,342

+21% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,749

+12% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$456,000

+8% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$81,308

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$49,100

+4% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

38.2 yr

+4.2 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

46.3%

63.0%

+16.7 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

46.6%

+11.8 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

19.1 min

+7.7 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

301

+50% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

1,135.1

+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

52.5°F

+10.1°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

11.7 in

+38.0 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.29/gal

+11% in Boise, ID

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

12.3

+22% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$10.82

+67% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Boise, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / ID)

+2.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.30%

+0.1 pp in ID

Atlanta vs Boise — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Boise?: Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Boise?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $45,000 in Boise.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Boise?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).