Atlanta wins overall by ~10% (COL index)
Cost of living: Atlanta vs Austin (2026)
A $68,500 salary in Atlanta buys roughly what $75,973 does in Austin (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$3,474/yr
Favoring Austin for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $290/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~52 months and still keep ~$35/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Atlanta Georgia | Austin Texas | Who wins | Your impact at $69K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500Better | $1,500 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,900 | $1,800Better | Austin wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Austin |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,600 | $2,400Better | Austin wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Austin |
| Median home price | $380KWins | $480K | Atlanta wins +$100K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 99 | 98Better | Austin wins -1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14Better | $14 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $58Better | $60 | Atlanta wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $95 | $50Wins | Austin wins −$45/mo | $540/yr saves in Austin |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Better | $3.10 | Atlanta wins +$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $170Better | $175 | Atlanta wins +$5/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $165Better | $170 | Atlanta wins +$5/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $65 | Atlanta wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $65K | $72KBetter | Austin wins +$7K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.5% | 0.0%Wins | Austin wins -5.5 pp | $3,768/yr saves in Austin |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.9% | 8.3%Better | Austin wins -0.6 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Better | $40 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Better | $7.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 110Better | 122 | Atlanta wins +12 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 48Wins | 42 | Atlanta wins -6 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$3,768/yr tax difference into cash back
Atlanta fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Atlanta.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Atlanta cheaper than Austin?
Yes. Atlanta is 10% cheaper than Austin based on overall cost of living indices (110 vs 122, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Atlanta vs Austin?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Atlanta is $1,900/month and in Austin is $1,800/month. Atlanta is more expensive by 6%.
How much do I need to earn in Austin to match a $75,000 salary in Atlanta?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $83,182/year in Austin to match a $75,000 salary in Atlanta. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Atlanta or Austin?
Austin has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 5.5%. Austin has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Atlanta to Austin?
It depends on your priorities. Atlanta offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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