Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Omaha?

Omaha, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Omaha.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Omaha?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Omaha under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Omaha Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,740/mo est.

Omaha

Nebraska

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Omaha, NE. Overall, Omaha, NE is roughly 36% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $72,708 in Omaha, NE — about 11% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Omaha, NE

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$908

+46% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$984

+38% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,193

+30% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,437

+8% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$230,100

+45% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$72,708

+11% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$49,660

+3% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

35.3 yr

+1.3 yr in Omaha, NE

Homeownership

46.3%

57.7%

+11.4 pp in Omaha, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

40.3%

+18.1 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

19.6 min

+7.2 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.5

358.6

+41% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

3,153

+11% 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

51.1°F

+11.5°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

30.6 in

+19.1 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.30/gal

$4.35/gal

+1% in Omaha, NE

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

$1.25

+50% in Atlanta, GA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.0

13.1

+13% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.41

$12.06

+34% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.16

$4.14

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Bread (lb)

$1.73

$1.79

+4% in Omaha, NE

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Omaha, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

$6.97

+6% in Omaha, NE

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.15

+13% in Omaha, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

$0.63

+3% in Omaha, NE

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NE)

5.5%

+1.5 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

4.55%

+0.6 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Omaha — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Omaha?: Omaha, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Omaha?: 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 Omaha.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Omaha?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Omaha under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).