Cost of Living in Georgia
Updated November 2026 · population 10,940,407
Georgia prices are 3.7% below the US average (index 96.3), ranking 27th most expensive of 51 states and DC; housing is the biggest saving at 88.7, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,744 a month.
Prices by category
Georgia price index by category, US average = 100: All items 96.3, Housing (rents) 88.7, Goods 98.9, Utilities 92.8, Other services 97.3
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| Georgia (whole state) | 96.3 |
| Metropolitan areas of Georgia | 97.8 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of Georgia | 87.0 |
Cities in Georgia
Select a column heading to sort.
| Atlanta | 505,268 | 101.2 | $3,203 | $5,438 | $1,711 | $439,600 |
| Columbus | 203,711 | 91.2 | $2,314 | $4,690 | $1,106 | $193,900 |
| Augusta | 201,528 | 92.3 | $2,405 | $4,754 | $1,142 | $178,400 |
| Macon | 156,578 | 90.7 | $2,316 | $4,583 | $1,066 | $174,500 |
| Savannah | 147,898 | 93.7 | $2,605 | $5,027 | $1,382 | $248,900 |
| Athens | 127,345 | 93.9 | $2,457 | $4,929 | $1,219 | $299,200 |
| South Fulton | 110,471 | 101.1 | $2,817 | $5,406 | $1,702 | $309,800 |
| Sandy Springs | 107,087 | 103.2 | $3,239 | $6,114 | $1,870 | $619,800 |
| Roswell | 92,621 | 102.4 | $3,218 | $5,902 | $1,810 | $567,100 |
| Warner Robins | 82,990 | 94.7 | $2,507 | $4,889 | $1,212 | $185,700 |
| Johns Creek | 81,988 | 107.9 | $3,341 | $6,077 | $2,257 | $629,400 |
| Mableton | 77,678 | 98.3 | $2,754 | $5,250 | $1,472 | $313,100 |
| Albany | 67,224 | 89.8 | $2,139 | $4,478 | $931 | $124,300 |
| Alpharetta | 66,855 | 104.1 | $3,378 | $6,111 | $1,948 | $649,000 |
| Marietta | 62,263 | 99.7 | $2,875 | $5,507 | $1,586 | $448,500 |
| Stonecrest | 60,501 | 99.9 | $2,692 | $5,273 | $1,601 | $243,500 |
| Brookhaven | 57,855 | 103.3 | $3,266 | $6,114 | $1,882 | $692,700 |
| Smyrna | 56,633 | 101.6 | $3,075 | $5,765 | $1,739 | $449,500 |
| Valdosta | 55,252 | 90.5 | $2,143 | $4,660 | $1,054 | $182,800 |
| Dunwoody | 51,758 | 103.0 | $3,301 | $5,928 | $1,859 | $602,900 |
| Dalton | 34,538 | 91.5 | $2,383 | $4,798 | $996 | $222,400 |
Metro areas in Georgia
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 100.1 | 111.0 |
| Gainesville, GA | 96.8 | 93.5 |
| Savannah, GA | 95.2 | 86.0 |
| Hinesville, GA | 93.9 | 79.5 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 93.8 | 79.2 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 93.3 | 76.8 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 91.9 | 70.6 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 91.5 | 76.5 |
| Rome, GA | 90.2 | 60.3 |
| Dalton, GA | 89.8 | 63.3 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 89.3 | 61.2 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | 88.5 | 58.9 |
| Valdosta, GA | 88.3 | 58.8 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | 87.7 | 56.3 |
| Albany, GA | 87.7 | 54.6 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of Georgia.
Modelled monthly budget at Georgia average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Georgia (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,104 | $13,248 | 40% |
| Utilities | $259 | $3,108 | 9% |
| Food at home | $279 | $3,348 | 10% |
| Transportation | $595 | $7,140 | 22% |
| Health care | $342 | $4,104 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $165 | $1,980 | 6% |
| Total | $2,744 | $32,928 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Georgia (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,111 | $13,332 | 27% |
| Utilities | $411 | $4,932 | 10% |
| Food at home | $515 | $6,180 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,179 | $14,148 | 28% |
| Health care | $634 | $7,608 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $325 | $3,900 | 8% |
| Total | $4,175 | $50,100 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Georgia (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,189 | $14,268 | 24% |
| Utilities | $500 | $6,000 | 10% |
| Food at home | $735 | $8,820 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,565 | $18,780 | 31% |
| Health care | $591 | $7,092 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $418 | $5,016 | 8% |
| Total | $4,998 | $59,976 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
15.90¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +2.3% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)
$3.69/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +30.9% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the South region rose +3.4% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 94.4 | 94.5 | 95.7 | 95.7 | 96.5 | 96.3 |
Change over the period: +1.9 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is Georgia an expensive state to live in?
Georgia has a cost of living index of 96.3 (US = 100), 3.7% below the US average. It ranks 27th of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 88.7 (rank 25), goods 98.9, utilities 92.8 and other services 97.3. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in Georgia?
At Georgia state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,744 for a single adult, $4,175 for a couple and $4,998 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 97.8 and nonmetro areas 87.0.
What is the median rent and home value in Georgia?
The median gross rent in Georgia is $1,393 a month and the median home value is $303,300 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 31.3% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 13.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, South region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology