Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Seattle?

Atlanta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,740 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Seattle?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,740/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,020/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,740 in Atlanta, GA versus $2,020 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Atlanta, GA is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 33% higher in Seattle, WA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,638

+2% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,858

+18% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$2,359

+39% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$2,918

+87% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$912,100

+117% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$121,984

+49% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$72,610

+42% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

35.5 yr

+1.5 yr in Seattle, WA

Homeownership

46.3%

44.2%

+2.1 pp in Atlanta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

67.5%

+9.1 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

26.6 min

+0.2 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.5

787.3

+30% in Seattle, WA

Property Crime

3,548.3

5,107.9

+44% in Seattle, WA

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

53.5°F

+9.1°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

37.7 in

+12.0 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.30/gal

$5.77/gal

+34% in Seattle, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

$2.75

+10% in Seattle, WA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.0

14.4

+4% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.41

$17.32

+6% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.16

$4.37

+5% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.73

$2.10

+21% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.25

+3% in Seattle, WA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

$7.23

+10% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.14

+12% in Seattle, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

$0.74

+21% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / WA)

6.5%

+2.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

None

+5.2 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Seattle?: Atlanta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,740 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Seattle?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).