Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Newark?

Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $39,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Newark?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/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 $1,210 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 41% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,111

+33% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$978

+38% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,386

+19% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,695

+9% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$337,800

+20% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$48,416

+41% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$61,430

+20% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

34.8 yr

+0.8 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

46.3%

24.1%

+22.2 pp in Atlanta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

17.4%

+41.0 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

33.2 min

+6.4 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

582.5

+4% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

1,961.8

+45% 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

54.9°F

+7.7°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

46.3 in

+3.5 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

23.3

+47% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$15.93

+52% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Newark, NJ

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Newark, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NJ)

6.625%

+2.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

10.75%

+5.6 pp in NJ

Atlanta vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Newark?: Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $39,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Newark?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).