Median rent is 16% lower in Atlanta ($1,711/mo vs $2,030/mo). Buying is cheaper in Atlanta, where the median home runs $439,600 versus $938,600. Households earn more in Seattle ($123,860 vs $85,652 a year). Taken together, Atlanta is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 100.5 against 112.7 — about 11% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Seattle, WA.
Cost of living verdict
Atlanta is 11% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 100.5 in Atlanta vs 112.7 in Seattle (US national average = 100)
City A
Atlanta, GA
City B
Seattle, WA
How much would you need to earn in Seattle, WA to maintain your standard of living from Atlanta, GA?
Equivalent salary in Seattle, WA
$84,144
You'd need $9,144 more (12% higher).
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
Seattle
Washington
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 rent is modestly lower in Atlanta at $1,711/mo compared to $2,030/mo in Seattle (16% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Seattle: the median home is $938,600 versus $439,600 in Atlanta — 53% more expensive.
Metric
Atlanta
Seattle
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
Seattle
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Atlanta averages 52.0 AQI (Moderate) and Seattle averages 52.0 AQI (Moderate).
Pick Atlanta if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 100.5 vs 112.7).
Pick Seattle if you prioritize higher median household income ($123,860/yr).
Pick Atlanta if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,711/mo median).
Atlanta is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 100.5 versus 112.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 11% lower in Atlanta.
Median rent is $1,711/mo in Atlanta, GA and $2,030/mo in Seattle, WA. Atlanta, GA has the lower rent by about 16%.
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta, GA and $123,860 in Seattle, WA. Seattle, WA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Seattle, WA has better air quality on average: 52.0 AQI versus 52.0 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 $112,191 in Seattle, WA (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
