Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,400 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $48,000 in Philadelphia.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Philadelphia?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Philadelphia under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Philadelphia Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,740/mo est.

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

$1,400/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 $1,400 in Philadelphia, PA. Overall, Philadelphia, PA is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $60,698 in Philadelphia, PA — about 26% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Philadelphia, PA

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,126

+33% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,189

+25% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,394

+18% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,406

+10% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$232,400

+45% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$60,698

+26% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$54,310

+6% in Philadelphia, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

35.1 yr

+1.1 yr in Philadelphia, PA

Homeownership

46.3%

52.3%

+6.0 pp in Philadelphia, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

34.6%

+23.8 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

32.0 min

+5.2 min in Philadelphia, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.5

916.8

+52% in Philadelphia, PA

Property Crime

3,548.3

4,614.3

+30% in Philadelphia, PA

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

57.1°F

+5.5°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

48.5 in

+1.2 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.30/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.0

20.9

+39% in Philadelphia, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.41

$16.67

+9% 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

$1.92

+11% in Philadelphia, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.25

+3% in Philadelphia, PA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

$6.90

+5% in Philadelphia, PA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.02

+6% in Philadelphia, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

$0.68

+11% in Philadelphia, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / PA)

+2.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

3.07%

+2.1 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Philadelphia — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Philadelphia?: Philadelphia, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,400 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Philadelphia?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $48,000 in Philadelphia.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Philadelphia?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Philadelphia under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% 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).