CostTrek

Cost of living

Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia

107
Overall cost index
US = 100
$1,650
Median 1-bedroom rent
+7%
7% above the US average

In plain terms: Atlanta is about 7% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,650/month.

Cities in United States

Category breakdown

Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.

  • Housing118+18%
  • Food & groceries1000%
  • Transport104+4%
  • Utilities982%
  • Healthcare102+2%
  • Goods & services103+3%

About

The ATL

The South's business and culture capital — green, affordable and fast-growing, if car-bound.

Currency
US dollar · USD
Languages
English
Coordinates
33.75, -84.39
Emergency
911

What things cost

1-bed, city centre$1,650 /mo
1-bed, outside centre$1,300 /mo
Inexpensive meal$17
Monthly transit pass$95
Utilities (85 m²)$170 /mo
Internet, 100 Mbps$65 /mo

Taxes

37%

Income tax

progressive

0%

VAT / sales

7.65%

Social (employee)

21%

Corporate

20%

Capital gains

$4,300

Avg net salary

per month

Federal; states add 0–13.3% on top.

Visas & residency

Employment-based (H-1B, L-1, O-1) and family routes; famously hard for the green card.

N/A for immigration; ESTA for short visits from VWP countries.

H-1B specialty workerwork

Lottery-based, employer-sponsored.

Max stay: 73 months

O-1 extraordinary abilitywork

For top talent; no lottery.

Green Card (permanent residence)residence

Citizenship after ~5 yrs. Naturalization after 5 years as LPR (3 if married to citizen).

Quality of life

Safety

48/100

Healthcare

78/100

Pollution

45/100

Internet

200 Mbps

Jan avg

+7 °C

Jul avg

+27 °C

Sunny days

217/yr

Walkability

48/100

Relocation & documents

Coming soon

Where to look

RentZillowBuyRedfinFlightsSkyscannerCoworkingWeWork

Updated: 2026-08-14 · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · National tax authority / OECD (headline figures)

? Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to live in Atlanta, GA?

Atlanta, GA's cost-of-living index is 107 (US average = 100) — about 7% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $1,650 per month.

What is the average rent in Atlanta, GA?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $1,650 per month, and around $1,300 outside the centre.

What taxes would I pay in United States?

United States has a top income-tax rate of 37% and a VAT or sales tax of 0%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.

What is the weather like in Atlanta, GA?

Atlanta, GA averages around +7 °C in January and +27 °C in July, with roughly 217 sunny days a year.

Compare Atlanta with…

Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.