Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Reno?

Reno, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Reno.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Reno?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/mo est.

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/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 $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Reno, NV is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 4% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$964

+42% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,206

+23% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,518

+11% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,885

+21% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$498,600

+19% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$78,448

+4% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$49,660

+3% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

37.3 yr

+3.3 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

46.3%

49.4%

+3.1 pp in Reno, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

35.7%

+22.7 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

20.6 min

+6.2 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

528.9

+12% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

2,489.3

+30% 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

53.8°F

+8.8°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

7.4 in

+42.3 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Reno, NV

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

13.6

+14% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$12.09

+64% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Reno, NV

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Reno, NV

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Reno, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NV)

6.85%

+2.8 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

None

+5.2 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Reno?: Reno, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Reno?: 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 Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Reno?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).