Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Casper?

Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 48% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $31,000 in Casper.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Casper?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Casper Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,790/mo est.

Casper

Wyoming

$930/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,790 in Atlanta, GA versus $930 in Casper, WY. Overall, Casper, WY is roughly 48% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $69,171 in Casper, WY — about 16% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Casper, WY

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$730

+56% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$764

+52% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$930

+45% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,299

+17% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$250,700

+40% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$69,171

+16% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$48,880

+4% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

37.0 yr

+3.0 yr in Casper, WY

Homeownership

46.3%

70.3%

+24.0 pp in Casper, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

30.0%

+28.4 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

16.9 min

+9.9 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

302.4

+50% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

2,123.8

+40% 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

45.4°F

+17.2°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

12.5 in

+37.2 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Casper, WY

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)

16.4

15.2

+7% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$18.28

+53% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Casper, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Casper, WY

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Casper, WY

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Casper, WY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Casper, WY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / WY)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

None

+5.2 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Casper — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Casper?: Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 48% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Casper?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $31,000 in Casper.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Casper?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% 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).