Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Rutland?

Rutland, VT 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 Rutland?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $34,000 in Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Rutland?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,790/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$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 Rutland, VT. Overall, Rutland, VT 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 $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 33% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$893

+46% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$856

+46% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,097

+36% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,207

+22% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$176,400

+58% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$55,000

+33% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

48.5 yr

+14.5 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

46.3%

52.7%

+6.4 pp in Rutland, VT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

32.2%

+26.2 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

14.7 min

+12.1 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

487.8

+19% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

3,973.3

+12% in Rutland, VT

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

44.6°F

+18.0°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

40.5 in

+9.3 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/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)

16.4

24.4

+49% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$26.07

+32% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rutland, VT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / VT)

+2.0 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

8.75%

+3.6 pp in VT

Atlanta vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Rutland?: Rutland, VT 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 Rutland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $34,000 in Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Rutland?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).