Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Henderson?

Henderson, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,580 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $57,000 in Henderson.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Henderson?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Henderson under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Henderson Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/mo est.

Henderson

Nevada

$1,580/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,780 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,580 in Henderson, NV. Overall, Henderson, NV is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $88,654 in Henderson, NV — about 8% higher in Henderson, NV. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Henderson, NV

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,442

+14% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,437

+9% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,694

+0% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,982

+27% in Henderson, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$465,000

+11% in Henderson, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$88,654

+8% in Henderson, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$46,670

+9% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

42.5 yr

+8.5 yr in Henderson, NV

Homeownership

46.3%

65.6%

+19.3 pp in Henderson, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

36.8%

+21.6 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

24.7 min

+2.1 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

271.8

+55% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

1,725.7

+51% 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

69.4°F

+6.8°F in Henderson, NV

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

4.2 in

+45.5 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Henderson, NV

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

13.6

+14% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$12.09

+64% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Henderson, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Henderson, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Henderson, NV

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Henderson, NV

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Henderson, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NV)

6.85%

+2.8 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

None

+5.2 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Henderson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Henderson?: Henderson, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,580 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Henderson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $57,000 in Henderson.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Henderson?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Henderson under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).