Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Las Vegas?

Las Vegas, NV 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 Las Vegas?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Las Vegas?

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

Atlanta vs Las Vegas Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,740/mo est.

Las Vegas

Nevada

$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 Las Vegas, NV. Overall, Las Vegas, NV 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 $70,723 in Las Vegas, NV — about 14% higher in Atlanta, GA. 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

Las Vegas, NV

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$992

+41% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,181

+25% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,401

+18% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,740

+12% in Las Vegas, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$395,300

+6% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$70,723

+14% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$46,670

+9% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

38.5 yr

+4.5 yr in Las Vegas, NV

Homeownership

46.3%

55.7%

+9.4 pp in Las Vegas, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

27.3%

+31.1 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

25.8 min

+1.0 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.5

433.1

+28% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

2,641.7

+26% 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

68.4°F

+5.8°F in Las Vegas, NV

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

5.4 in

+44.3 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.30/gal

$5.57/gal

+29% in Las Vegas, NV

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

$2.00

+20% in Atlanta, GA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.0

14.2

+6% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.41

$10.04

+45% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.16

$4.37

+5% in Las Vegas, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.73

$2.10

+21% in Las Vegas, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.25

+3% in Las Vegas, NV

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

$7.23

+10% in Las Vegas, NV

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.14

+12% in Las Vegas, NV

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

$0.74

+21% in Las Vegas, 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 Las Vegas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Las Vegas?: Las Vegas, NV 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 Las Vegas?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Las Vegas?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Las Vegas 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).