Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Jacksonville?

Jacksonville, FL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Jacksonville.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Jacksonville?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Jacksonville under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Jacksonville Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,740/mo est.

Jacksonville

Florida

$1,320/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 $1,320 in Jacksonville, FL. Overall, Jacksonville, FL is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $66,981 in Jacksonville, FL — about 18% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Jacksonville, FL

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,127

+32% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,146

+27% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,385

+19% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,545

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$266,100

+37% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$66,981

+18% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$48,830

+5% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

36.4 yr

+2.4 yr in Jacksonville, FL

Homeownership

46.3%

57.4%

+11.1 pp in Jacksonville, FL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

31.8%

+26.6 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

24.1 min

+2.7 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.5

557.6

+8% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

2,599.5

+27% 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

70.2°F

+7.6°F in Jacksonville, FL

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

49.2 in

+0.5 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.30/gal

$4.25/gal

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

$1.75

+30% in Atlanta, GA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.0

14.9

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.41

$23.62

+28% in Jacksonville, FL

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 / FL)

+2.0 pp in FL

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

None

+5.2 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Jacksonville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Jacksonville?: Jacksonville, FL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Jacksonville?: 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 Jacksonville.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Jacksonville?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Jacksonville under Florida's (no state income tax 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).