Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Worcester?

Worcester, MA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,340 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $41,000 in Worcester.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Worcester?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Worcester Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,790/mo est.

Worcester

Massachusetts

$1,340/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 $1,340 in Worcester, MA. Overall, Worcester, MA is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $67,544 in Worcester, MA — about 18% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Worcester, MA

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,087

+35% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,028

+35% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,476

+13% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,675

+8% in Worcester, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$339,500

+19% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$67,544

+18% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$57,830

+13% in Worcester, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

34.1 yr

+0.1 yr in Worcester, MA

Homeownership

46.3%

42.4%

+3.9 pp in Atlanta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

34.1%

+24.3 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

25.1 min

+1.7 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

640.2

+6% in Worcester, MA

Property Crime

3,548.3

1,580.3

+55% 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

47.9°F

+14.7°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

48.1 in

+1.6 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.07/gal

+3% in Worcester, MA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Massachusetts.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

29.6

+81% in Worcester, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$30.66

+21% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Worcester, MA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Worcester, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Worcester, MA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Worcester, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Worcester, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / MA)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

9.00%

+3.8 pp in MA

Atlanta vs Worcester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Worcester?: Worcester, MA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,340 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Worcester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $41,000 in Worcester.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Worcester?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).