Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Cranston?

Cranston, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $41,000 in Cranston.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Cranston?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Cranston under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Cranston Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,790/mo est.

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/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 $1,330 in Cranston, RI. Overall, Cranston, RI is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $87,716 in Cranston, RI — about 7% higher in Cranston, RI. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Cranston, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,669

—

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,032

+35% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,438

+15% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,688

+8% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$348,800

+17% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$87,716

+7% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$53,680

+5% in Cranston, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

40.1 yr

+6.1 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

46.3%

67.3%

+21.0 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

35.8%

+22.6 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

23.8 min

+3.0 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

93.1

+85% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

1,065.4

+70% 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

51.6°F

+11.0°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

47.2 in

+2.5 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

29.2

+79% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$25.75

+33% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Cranston, RI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Cranston, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Cranston, RI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Cranston, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Cranston, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / RI)

+3.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.99%

+0.8 pp in RI

Atlanta vs Cranston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Cranston?: Cranston, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Cranston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $41,000 in Cranston.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Cranston?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Cranston under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).