Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Madison?

Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $49,000 in Madison.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Madison?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Madison Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/mo est.

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Madison, WI. Overall, Madison, WI is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $76,983 in Madison, WI — about 6% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Madison, WI

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,018

+39% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,219

+23% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,432

+16% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,766

+13% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$346,900

+18% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$76,983

+6% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$58,080

+14% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

31.8 yr

+2.2 yr in Atlanta, GA

Homeownership

46.3%

46.6%

+0.3 pp in Madison, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

59.2%

+0.8 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

26.8 min

19.4 min

+7.4 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

259.5

+57% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

1,884.5

+47% 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

46.5°F

+16.1°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

34.5 in

+15.2 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Madison, WI

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

19.7

+25% in Madison, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$11.79

+65% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Madison, WI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Atlanta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Madison, WI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Madison, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / WI)

+1.0 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

7.65%

+2.5 pp in WI

Atlanta vs Madison — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Madison?: Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Madison?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $49,000 in Madison.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Madison?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 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).