Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Fayetteville?

Fayetteville, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $33,000 in Fayetteville.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Fayetteville?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Fayetteville under Arkansas's (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Fayetteville Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,790/mo est.

Fayetteville

Arkansas

$990/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 $990 in Fayetteville, AR. Overall, Fayetteville, AR is roughly 45% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $59,074 in Fayetteville, AR — about 28% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Fayetteville, AR

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$709

+58% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$817

+48% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$999

+41% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,430

+8% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$322,500

+23% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$59,074

+28% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$46,610

+9% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

28.7 yr

+5.3 yr in Atlanta, GA

Homeownership

46.3%

41.9%

+4.4 pp in Atlanta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

49.8%

+8.6 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

18.2 min

+8.6 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

429.4

+29% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

2,392.2

+33% 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

57.1°F

+5.5°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

48.5 in

+1.2 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Atlanta, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

14.1

+14% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$27.86

+28% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / AR)

6.5%

+2.5 pp in AR

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

3.90%

+1.3 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Fayetteville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Fayetteville?: Fayetteville, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Fayetteville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $33,000 in Fayetteville.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Fayetteville?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Fayetteville under Arkansas's (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% 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).