Atlanta, GA vs Tampa, FL: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Atlanta is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Tampa are 1.0% higher, and housing prices differ the most (114.3 in Atlanta vs 127.1 in Tampa). A single adult's modelled budget is $3,203 a month in Atlanta and $2,964 in Tampa.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Atlanta, GA | Tampa, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 101.2 | 102.2 |
| BEA index for the area | 100.1 | 100.9 |
| Housing (rents) | 114.3 | 127.1 |
| Goods | 100.4 | 95.5 |
| Utilities | 96.2 | 88.5 |
| Other services | 96.7 | 97.6 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $3,203 | $2,964 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $4,805 | $4,713 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $5,438 | $5,577 |
| Median gross rent | $1,711 | $1,701 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,665 | $1,448 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $1,826 | $1,792 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $1,680 | $1,913 |
| Median home value | $439,600 | $420,400 |
| Median household income | $85,652 | $75,475 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 30.9% | 33.5% |
| Home value ÷ income | 5.1× | 5.6× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 15.90 | 14.99 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $3.69 † | $3.79 |
| Population | 505,268 | 401,618 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta price index by category, US average = 100: All items 101.2, Housing (rents) 114.3, Goods 100.4, Utilities 96.2, Other services 96.7
Tampa, FL
Tampa price index by category, US average = 100: All items 102.2, Housing (rents) 127.1, Goods 95.5, Utilities 88.5, Other services 97.6
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | Atlanta | Tampa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,544 | $1,727 | +$183 |
| Utilities | $511 | $493 | −$18 |
| Food at home | $746 | $709 | −$37 |
| Transportation | $1,627 | $1,648 | +$21 |
| Health care | $587 | $592 | +$5 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $423 | $408 | −$15 |
| Total | $5,438 | $5,577 | +$139 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Tampa more expensive than Atlanta?
Yes. Overall prices in Tampa, FL (index 102.2) are 1.0% higher than in Atlanta, GA (index 101.2), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in housing (rents): 127.1 vs 114.3.
What salary do I need in Tampa to match $60,000 in Atlanta?
About $60,600. Going the other way, $60,000 in Tampa buys about as much as $59,400 in Atlanta. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Atlanta or Tampa?
Median gross rent is $1,711 in Atlanta and $1,701 in Tampa (−0.6% in Tampa; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $439,600 and $420,400.
Notes
- Atlanta: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources