Cost of Living in Georgia
Georgia has 48 cities with cost-of-living data on CompareLiving, drawn from US Census, BEA, HUD, and EPA sources. Prices range from Gainesville (cost index 92.6) to Alpharetta (98.6), with a statewide average around 96.5 versus the US baseline of 100. Median rent is lowest in Albany at $898/mo and highest in Johns Creek at $2,173/mo.
Georgia at a Glance
Cities Tracked
48
with census data
Avg Cost Index
96.5
US avg = 100
Avg Median Rent
$1,444
per month
Avg Household Income
$80,036
annual median
Most & Least Affordable Cities
Most Affordable
| City | Cost Index | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Gainesville | 92.6 | $1,234 |
| Columbus | 94.1 | $1,072 |
| Albany | 96.6 | $898 |
| Atlanta | 98.6 | $1,617 |
| Sandy Springs | 98.6 | $1,789 |
Most Expensive
| City | Cost Index | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 98.6 | $1,617 |
| Sandy Springs | 98.6 | $1,789 |
| Alpharetta | 98.6 | $1,874 |
| Albany | 96.6 | $898 |
| Columbus | 94.1 | $1,072 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100)
Taxes in Georgia
State Income Tax
5.49%
Top marginal rate · Tax Foundation 2024
State Sales Tax
4.00%
Statewide base rate · local add-ons may apply
Popular Cities in Georgia
Georgia Cities — Full Table
Click columns to sort
| Atlanta | 499,287 | 98.6 | $1,617 | $420,600 | $81,938 |
| Columbus | 204,383 | 94.1 | $1,072 | $182,300 | $56,622 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 201,504 | — | $1,087 | $162,900 | $53,134 |
| Macon-Bibb County | 156,543 | — | $1,026 | $165,800 | $50,747 |
| Savannah | 147,546 | — | $1,302 | $225,200 | $56,782 |
| Athens-Clarke County | 126,987 | — | $1,162 | $271,800 | $51,655 |
| South Fulton | 109,157 | — | $1,607 | $270,600 | $81,798 |
| Sandy Springs | 107,198 | 98.6 | $1,789 | $583,900 | $101,593 |
| Roswell | 92,577 | — | $1,707 | $520,500 | $124,422 |
| Johns Creek | 82,115 | — | $2,173 | $583,700 | $160,185 |
| Warner Robins | 81,438 | — | $1,151 | $171,600 | $65,715 |
| Albany | 67,939 | 96.6 | $898 | $118,700 | $45,201 |
| Alpharetta | 66,355 | 98.6 | $1,874 | $605,700 | $146,581 |
| Marietta | 61,773 | — | $1,491 | $401,100 | $70,086 |
| Stonecrest | 59,917 | — | $1,490 | $223,100 | $62,939 |
| Brookhaven | 57,224 | — | $1,789 | $660,300 | $117,448 |
| Smyrna | 56,285 | — | $1,682 | $409,000 | $96,780 |
| Valdosta | 55,222 | — | $1,000 | $165,300 | $45,849 |
| Dunwoody | 51,563 | — | $1,806 | $579,400 | $109,116 |
| Gainesville | 44,051 | 92.6 | $1,234 | $337,000 | $64,636 |
| Newnan | 43,510 | — | $1,391 | $327,800 | $80,299 |
| Mableton | 42,403 | — | $1,399 | $306,200 | $84,662 |
| Peachtree Corners | 42,184 | — | $1,617 | $467,300 | $81,413 |
| Milton | 41,305 | — | $1,853 | $712,200 | $151,235 |
| Peachtree City | 38,977 | — | $1,915 | $461,000 | $111,421 |
| East Point | 38,233 | — | $1,314 | $247,500 | $58,983 |
| Rome | 37,754 | — | $976 | $214,700 | $51,106 |
| Evans | 37,718 | — | $1,483 | $345,800 | $126,767 |
| Tucker | 37,022 | — | $1,458 | $359,300 | $81,141 |
| Woodstock | 36,297 | — | $1,735 | $387,300 | $105,396 |
| Douglasville | 36,284 | — | $1,457 | $313,500 | $76,591 |
| Stockbridge | 35,475 | — | $1,437 | $248,000 | $70,579 |
| Hinesville | 35,282 | — | $1,167 | $174,300 | $59,216 |
| Canton | 34,587 | — | $1,592 | $369,700 | $81,642 |
| Dalton | 34,402 | — | $924 | $203,100 | $61,236 |
| Statesboro | 33,705 | — | $935 | $158,600 | $42,884 |
| Kennesaw | 33,627 | — | $1,763 | $291,300 | $79,759 |
| Martinez | 33,019 | — | $1,218 | $231,400 | $85,617 |
| Duluth | 31,958 | — | $1,785 | $366,000 | $95,580 |
| LaGrange | 31,479 | — | $1,038 | $175,600 | $41,491 |
| Lawrenceville | 30,626 | — | $1,457 | $335,100 | $58,606 |
| Redan | 30,426 | — | $1,436 | $197,600 | $63,226 |
| Chamblee | 30,369 | — | $1,775 | $407,900 | $81,774 |
| McDonough | 30,056 | — | $1,576 | $285,800 | $77,734 |
| Union City | 27,300 | — | $1,213 | $223,100 | $47,635 |
| Pooler | 27,235 | — | $1,625 | $289,000 | $91,497 |
| Carrollton | 27,058 | — | $1,067 | $283,100 | $51,553 |
| Sugar Hill | 25,285 | — | $1,738 | $375,900 | $99,479 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100) · Income & Rent = US Census ACS
Compare Georgia cities head-to-head
Use our comparison tool to put any two cities side by side. Or explore national rankings to see how Georgia cities stack up across the US. For example, Atlanta vs Columbus.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cost of Living in Georgia
What is the cost of living in Georgia?
The average cost of living index across cities in Georgia is approximately 96.5 (US average = 100), which is slightly below the US average. Median gross rent averages around $1,444/month and median household income averages around $80,036/year.
What are the cheapest cities to live in Georgia?
The most affordable cities in Georgia by cost of living index are: 1. Gainesville (index 92.6), 2. Columbus (index 94.1), 3. Albany (index 96.6).
What is the median rent in Georgia?
The average median gross rent across cities in Georgia is approximately $1,444/month. Rent varies significantly by city and neighborhood — use the city profiles below for specific figures.
What are the income tax rates in Georgia?
Georgia's top marginal state income tax rate is 5.49%. This is the highest bracket rate; lower-income earners pay less. Source: Tax Foundation (2024).
What is the sales tax in Georgia?
Georgia's statewide sales tax rate is 4.00%. Local city and county rates may add to this. Source: Tax Foundation (2024).
Is it expensive to move to Georgia?
Georgia has a cost of living index of approximately 96.5 and average median rent around $1,444/month. It is generally more affordable than the US average, which can offset moving costs over time. Use our moving guides for salary equivalence calculations.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, Tax Foundation · Methodology