Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Houston?

Houston, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $46,000 in Houston.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Houston?

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

Atlanta vs Houston Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,740/mo est.

Houston

Texas

$1,350/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 $1,350 in Houston, TX. Overall, Houston, TX is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $62,894 in Houston, TX — about 23% 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

Houston, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,142

+32% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,156

+27% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,375

+19% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,664

+7% in Houston, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$253,400

+40% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$62,894

+23% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$49,410

+3% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

34.3 yr

+0.3 yr in Houston, TX

Homeownership

46.3%

42.0%

+4.3 pp in Atlanta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

36.0%

+22.4 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

27.3 min

+0.5 min in Houston, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.5

1,155.2

+91% in Houston, TX

Property Crime

3,548.3

4,325.3

+22% in Houston, TX

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

70.3°F

+7.7°F in Houston, TX

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

54.6 in

+4.9 in in Houston, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.30/gal

$3.85/gal

+11% in Atlanta, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Houston.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

$1.25

+50% in Atlanta, GA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.0

16.4

+9% in Houston, TX

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.41

$24.61

+34% in Houston, 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 Houston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Houston?: Houston, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Houston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $46,000 in Houston.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Houston?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Houston 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).