Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Dallas?

Dallas, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,470 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $51,000 in Dallas.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Dallas?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Dallas under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Dallas Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,740/mo est.

Dallas

Texas

$1,470/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,740 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,470 in Dallas, TX. Overall, Dallas, TX is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $67,760 in Dallas, TX — about 17% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Dallas, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,259

+25% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,280

+19% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,500

+12% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,559

+0% in Dallas, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$295,300

+30% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$67,760

+17% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$51,440

+1% in Dallas, TX

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

33.4 yr

+0.6 yr in Atlanta, GA

Homeownership

46.3%

42.4%

+3.9 pp in Atlanta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

37.4%

+21.0 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

26.0 min

+0.8 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.5

661.7

+10% in Dallas, TX

Property Crime

3,548.3

3,411.8

+4% 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

67.2°F

+4.6°F in Dallas, TX

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

37.6 in

+12.1 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.30/gal

$3.96/gal

+8% in Atlanta, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.0

16.4

+9% in Dallas, TX

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.41

$24.61

+34% in Dallas, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.16

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.73

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / TX)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

None

+5.2 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Dallas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Dallas?: Dallas, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,470 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Dallas?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $51,000 in Dallas.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Dallas?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Dallas under Texas's (no state income tax 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).