Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Denver?

Atlanta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,740 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Denver?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Denver Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,740/mo est.

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/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 $1,750 in Denver, CO. Overall, Atlanta, GA is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $91,681 in Denver, CO — about 11% higher in Denver, CO. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Denver, CO

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,497

+10% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,583

+0% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,958

+15% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$2,269

+46% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$586,700

+39% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$91,681

+12% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$62,320

+22% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

35.2 yr

+1.2 yr in Denver, CO

Homeownership

46.3%

49.1%

+2.8 pp in Denver, CO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

55.6%

+2.8 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

25.4 min

+1.4 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.5

998.3

+65% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

3,548.3

4,781.9

+35% in Denver, CO

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

50.2°F

+12.4°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

15.6 in

+34.1 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.30/gal

$4.58/gal

+6% in Denver, CO

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Denver.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

$2.75

+10% in Denver, CO

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.0

16.7

+12% in Denver, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.41

$11.64

+37% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.16

$4.37

+5% in Denver, CO

Bread (lb)

$1.73

$2.10

+21% in Denver, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.25

+3% in Denver, CO

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

$7.23

+10% in Denver, CO

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.14

+12% in Denver, CO

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

$0.74

+21% in Denver, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / CO)

2.9%

+1.1 pp in GA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

4.40%

+0.8 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Denver — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Denver?: Atlanta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,740 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Denver?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $63,000 in Denver.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Denver?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).