Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Cheyenne?

Cheyenne, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $980 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $33,000 in Cheyenne.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Cheyenne?

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

Atlanta vs Cheyenne Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/mo est.

Cheyenne

Wyoming

$980/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 $980 in Cheyenne, WY. Overall, Cheyenne, WY is roughly 45% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $77,176 in Cheyenne, WY — about 6% 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

Cheyenne, WY

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$756

+55% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$824

+48% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,036

+39% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,478

+5% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$311,200

+26% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$77,176

+6% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$51,540

+1% in Cheyenne, WY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

38.9 yr

+4.9 yr in Cheyenne, WY

Homeownership

46.3%

67.7%

+21.4 pp in Cheyenne, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

32.9%

+25.5 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

16.1 min

+10.7 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

334.6

+45% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

3,030.3

+15% 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

46.5°F

+16.1°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

15.9 in

+33.8 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.29/gal

+11% in Cheyenne, 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)

15.8

14.8

+7% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$13.31

+60% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Cheyenne, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Cheyenne, WY

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Cheyenne, WY

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Cheyenne, WY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Cheyenne, 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 Cheyenne — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Cheyenne?: Cheyenne, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $980 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Cheyenne?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $33,000 in Cheyenne.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Cheyenne?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Cheyenne 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).