Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Pittsburgh?

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

Atlanta vs Pittsburgh Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/mo est.

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Pittsburgh, PA. Overall, Pittsburgh, PA is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA — about 22% 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

Pittsburgh, PA

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,109

+34% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,079

+32% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,269

+25% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,450

+7% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$193,200

+54% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$64,137

+22% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$49,650

+3% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

33.5 yr

+0.5 yr in Atlanta, GA

Homeownership

46.3%

47.2%

+0.9 pp in Pittsburgh, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

47.8%

+10.6 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

23.1 min

+3.7 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

436

+28% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

2,315.7

+35% 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

51.8°F

+10.8°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

39.3 in

+10.4 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

21.6

+36% in Pittsburgh, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$19.17

+42% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Pittsburgh, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Pittsburgh, PA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Pittsburgh?: Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Pittsburgh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Pittsburgh?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Pittsburgh 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).