Washington, DC vs Atlanta, GA: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Atlanta is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Washington are 8.0% higher, and housing prices differ the most (135.9 in Washington vs 114.3 in Atlanta). A single adult's modelled budget is $3,627 a month in Washington and $3,203 in Atlanta.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Washington, DC | Atlanta, GA |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 109.4 | 101.2 |
| BEA index for the area | 108.9 | 100.1 |
| Housing (rents) | 135.9 | 114.3 |
| Goods | 104.8 | 100.4 |
| Utilities | 106.7 | 96.2 |
| Other services | 102.3 | 96.7 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $3,627 | $3,203 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $5,311 | $4,805 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $6,532 | $5,438 |
| Median gross rent | $1,954 | $1,711 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,944 | $1,665 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $2,083 | $1,826 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $2,503 | $1,680 |
| Median home value | $737,100 | $439,600 |
| Median household income | $109,870 | $85,652 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 28.6% | 30.9% |
| Home value ÷ income | 6.7× | 5.1× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 25.98 | 15.90 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $4.23 † | $3.69 † |
| Population | 681,294 | 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
Washington, DC
Washington price index by category, US average = 100: All items 109.4, Housing (rents) 135.9, Goods 104.8, Utilities 106.7, Other services 102.3
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 | Washington | Atlanta | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $2,374 | $1,544 | −$830 |
| Utilities | $534 | $511 | −$23 |
| Food at home | $779 | $746 | −$33 |
| Transportation | $1,781 | $1,627 | −$154 |
| Health care | $621 | $587 | −$34 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $443 | $423 | −$20 |
| Total | $6,532 | $5,438 | −$1,094 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Atlanta more expensive than Washington?
No. Overall prices in Atlanta, GA (index 101.2) are 7.5% lower than in Washington, DC (index 109.4), 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 135.9.
What salary do I need in Atlanta to match $60,000 in Washington?
About $55,500. Going the other way, $60,000 in Atlanta buys about as much as $64,800 in Washington. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Washington or Atlanta?
Median gross rent is $1,954 in Washington and $1,711 in Atlanta (−12.4% in Atlanta; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $737,100 and $439,600.
Notes
- Washington: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
- Atlanta: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources