Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Cleveland?

Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $29,000 in Cleveland.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Cleveland?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Cleveland under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Cleveland Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/mo est.

Cleveland

Ohio

$940/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 $940 in Cleveland, OH. Overall, Cleveland, OH is roughly 47% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $39,187 in Cleveland, OH — about 52% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Cleveland, OH

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$678

+59% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$732

+54% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$903

+47% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,081

+31% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$94,100

+78% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$39,187

+52% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$50,140

+2% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

36.3 yr

+2.3 yr in Cleveland, OH

Homeownership

46.3%

41.2%

+5.1 pp in Atlanta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

21.3%

+37.1 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

22.9 min

+3.9 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

1,582

+162% in Cleveland, OH

Property Crime

3,548.3

4,531.3

+28% in Cleveland, OH

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

52.7°F

+9.9°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

36.4 in

+13.4 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.18/gal

+8% in Cleveland, OH

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Ohio.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

19.5

+23% in Cleveland, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$22.83

+31% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Cleveland, OH

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Atlanta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Cleveland, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Cleveland, OH

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Cleveland, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / OH)

5.75%

+1.8 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

2.75%

+2.4 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Cleveland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Cleveland?: Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Cleveland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $29,000 in Cleveland.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Cleveland?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Cleveland under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).