Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Provo?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Provo?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,790/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 23% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,009

+40% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$978

+38% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,128

+34% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,381

+11% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$437,100

+4% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$62,800

+23% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$48,010

+6% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

23.7 yr

+10.3 yr in Atlanta, GA

Homeownership

46.3%

39.9%

+6.4 pp in Atlanta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

45.0%

+13.4 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

18.5 min

+8.3 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

205.7

+66% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

1,280.6

+64% 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

53.4°F

+9.2°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

19.8 in

+30.0 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Provo, UT

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

13.4

+18% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$11.84

+69% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Provo, UT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Provo, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / UT)

6.1%

+2.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

4.50%

+0.7 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Provo?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Provo?: 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 Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Provo?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).