Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Boston?

Atlanta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $79,000 in Boston.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Boston?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Boston Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/mo est.

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/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 $2,290 in Boston, MA. Overall, Atlanta, GA is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $94,755 in Boston, MA — about 14% higher in Boston, MA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Boston, MA

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,890

+13% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,978

+26% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$2,155

+27% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$2,234

+43% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$710,400

+69% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$94,755

+16% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$66,620

+30% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

33.2 yr

+0.8 yr in Atlanta, GA

Homeownership

46.3%

35.4%

+10.9 pp in Atlanta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

54.1%

+4.3 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

30.2 min

+3.4 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

630.2

+4% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

3,548.3

2,030.8

+43% 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

51.5°F

+11.1°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

43.8 in

+5.9 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.95/gal

+2% in Boston, MA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Massachusetts.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

28.8

+82% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$31.39

+6% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Boston, MA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Boston, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Boston, MA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Boston, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / MA)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

9.00%

+3.8 pp in MA

Atlanta vs Boston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Boston?: Atlanta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Boston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $79,000 in Boston.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Boston?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).