Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Meridian?

Meridian, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,690 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of natural gas costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Meridian?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,790/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,790 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Meridian, ID is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 17% higher in Meridian, ID. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,523

+9% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,540

+2% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,489

+12% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,893

+22% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$485,000

+15% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$98,686

+20% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$49,100

+4% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

37.4 yr

+3.4 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

46.3%

76.1%

+29.8 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

44.4%

+14.0 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

22.3 min

+4.5 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

150.3

+75% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

583.5

+84% 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

52.5°F

+10.1°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

11.7 in

+38.0 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Meridian, ID

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

14.4

+12% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$11.33

+71% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Meridian, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / ID)

+2.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.30%

+0.1 pp in ID

Atlanta vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Meridian?: Meridian, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,690 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Meridian?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).