Median rent is 1% lower in Atlanta ($1,711/mo vs $1,729/mo). Buying is cheaper in Atlanta, where the median home runs $439,600 versus $555,300. Households earn more in Austin ($93,658 vs $85,652 a year). Taken together, Austin is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.3 against 100.5 — about 2% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Austin, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Austin is 2% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.3 in Austin vs 100.5 in Atlanta (US national average = 100)
City A
Atlanta, GA
City B
Austin, TX
How much would you need to earn in Austin, TX to maintain your standard of living from Atlanta, GA?
Equivalent salary in Austin, TX
$73,354
You could earn $1,646 less (2% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Atlanta
Georgia
Austin
Texas
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,711/mo in Atlanta and $1,729/mo in Austin. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $555,300 versus $439,600 in Atlanta — 21% more expensive.
Metric
Atlanta
Austin
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Atlanta
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Austin
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Atlanta has cleaner air on average: 52.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 65.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($93,658/yr).
Pick Atlanta if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 52.0).
Austin is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.3 versus 100.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in Austin.
Median rent is $1,711/mo in Atlanta, GA and $1,729/mo in Austin, TX. Atlanta, GA has the lower rent by about 1%.
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta, GA and $93,658 in Austin, TX. Austin, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Atlanta, GA has better air quality on average: 52.0 AQI versus 65.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Atlanta, GA is equivalent to roughly $97,806 in Austin, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
