Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Davenport?

Davenport, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 46% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Davenport.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Davenport?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Davenport under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Davenport Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,790/mo est.

Davenport

Iowa

$960/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 $960 in Davenport, IA. Overall, Davenport, IA is roughly 46% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $64,497 in Davenport, IA — about 21% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Davenport, IA

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$726

+57% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$777

+51% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$962

+43% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,117

+28% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$162,900

+61% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$64,497

+21% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$48,550

+5% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

37.8 yr

+3.8 yr in Davenport, IA

Homeownership

46.3%

63.0%

+16.7 pp in Davenport, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

30.0%

+28.4 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

18.7 min

+8.1 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

581.4

+4% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

3,559.6

+0% in Davenport, IA

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

49.3°F

+13.3°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

36.0 in

+13.7 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Atlanta, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

15.9

+3% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$22.16

+43% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Davenport, IA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Atlanta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Davenport, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Davenport, IA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Davenport, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / IA)

+2.0 pp in IA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

3.80%

+1.4 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Davenport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Davenport?: Davenport, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 46% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Davenport?: 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 Davenport.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Davenport?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Davenport under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% 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).