Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Wichita?

Wichita, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Wichita?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Wichita under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Wichita Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/mo est.

Wichita

Kansas

$940/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 $940 in Wichita, KS. Overall, Wichita, KS is roughly 47% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $63,072 in Wichita, KS — about 23% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Wichita, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$726

+57% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$761

+52% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$976

+43% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,199

+23% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$179,500

+57% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$63,072

+23% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$47,630

+7% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

35.7 yr

+1.7 yr in Wichita, KS

Homeownership

46.3%

58.4%

+12.1 pp in Wichita, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

30.9%

+27.5 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

18.9 min

+7.9 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

1,238.7

+105% in Wichita, KS

Property Crime

3,548.3

5,284.9

+49% in Wichita, KS

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

57.0°F

+5.6°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

32.6 in

+17.1 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Wichita, KS

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

15.1

+4% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$25.12

+25% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Wichita, KS

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Atlanta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Wichita, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Wichita, KS

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Wichita, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / KS)

6.5%

+2.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.58%

+0.4 pp in KS

Atlanta vs Wichita — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Wichita?: Wichita, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Wichita?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $30,000 in Wichita.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Wichita?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Wichita under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% 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).