Seattle, WA vs Atlanta, GA: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Atlanta is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Seattle are 12.1% higher, and housing prices differ the most (148.6 in Seattle vs 114.3 in Atlanta). A single adult's modelled budget is $3,582 a month in Seattle and $3,203 in Atlanta.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Seattle, WA | Atlanta, GA |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 113.4 | 101.2 |
| BEA index for the area | 111.1 | 100.1 |
| Housing (rents) | 148.6 | 114.3 |
| Goods | 104.0 | 100.4 |
| Utilities | 92.8 | 96.2 |
| Other services | 106.8 | 96.7 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $3,582 | $3,203 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $5,642 | $4,805 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $7,093 | $5,438 |
| Median gross rent | $2,030 | $1,711 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,899 | $1,665 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $2,404 | $1,826 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $3,056 | $1,680 |
| Median home value | $938,600 | $439,600 |
| Median household income | $123,860 | $85,652 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 27.4% | 30.9% |
| Home value ÷ income | 7.6× | 5.1× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 14.63 | 15.90 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $5.09 | $3.69 † |
| Population | 754,195 | 505,268 |
* 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
Seattle, WA
Seattle price index by category, US average = 100: All items 113.4, Housing (rents) 148.6, Goods 104.0, Utilities 92.8, Other services 106.8
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
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | Seattle | Atlanta | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $2,853 | $1,544 | −$1,309 |
| Utilities | $460 | $511 | +$51 |
| Food at home | $772 | $746 | −$26 |
| Transportation | $1,915 | $1,627 | −$288 |
| Health care | $648 | $587 | −$61 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $445 | $423 | −$22 |
| Total | $7,093 | $5,438 | −$1,655 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Atlanta more expensive than Seattle?
No. Overall prices in Atlanta, GA (index 101.2) are 10.8% lower than in Seattle, WA (index 113.4), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in housing (rents): 114.3 vs 148.6.
What salary do I need in Atlanta to match $60,000 in Seattle?
About $53,500. Going the other way, $60,000 in Atlanta buys about as much as $67,200 in Seattle. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Seattle or Atlanta?
Median gross rent is $2,030 in Seattle and $1,711 in Atlanta (−15.7% in Atlanta; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $938,600 and $439,600.
Notes
- Atlanta: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources