Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Salem?

Salem, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,170 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $40,000 in Salem.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Salem?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Salem under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Salem Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/mo est.

Salem

Oregon

$1,170/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 $1,170 in Salem, OR. Overall, Salem, OR is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $71,900 in Salem, OR — about 12% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Salem, OR

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,075

+36% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$989

+37% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,337

+21% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,778

+14% in Salem, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$382,400

+9% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$71,900

+12% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$55,310

+8% in Salem, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

35.7 yr

+1.7 yr in Salem, OR

Homeownership

46.3%

55.7%

+9.4 pp in Salem, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

31.4%

+27.0 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

22.4 min

+4.4 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

540.6

+10% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

2,878.6

+19% 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

53.0°F

+9.6°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

39.7 in

+10.0 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Salem, OR

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

16.3

+3% in Salem, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$20.59

+38% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Salem, OR

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Salem, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Salem, OR

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Salem, OR

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Salem, OR

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / OR)

None

+4.0 pp in GA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

9.90%

+4.7 pp in OR

Atlanta vs Salem — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Salem?: Salem, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,170 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Salem?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $40,000 in Salem.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Salem?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Salem under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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).