Can I Afford to Live in Atlanta vs Houston on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Atlanta, GA
$4,690/mo take-home
Rent: $1,900/mo (41% of take-home)
Tight
Houston, TX
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $1,350/mo (27% of take-home)
Comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Atlanta
GA
Houston
TX
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,690
$5,057Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,900
$1,350Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$376
$357Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$95
$90Best ✓
Utilities
$165Best ✓
$175
Internet
$60Best ✓
$65
Left after essentials
$2,094/month
$3,020/month
Houston (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Atlanta (GA rate: 5.5%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Atlanta?

At $80K/year in Atlanta, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,690. With 1BR rent around $1,900/month, rent takes up 41% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Is $80K a good salary in Houston?

At $80K/year in Houston, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $1,350/month, rent takes up 27% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

Houston leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,020/month vs $2,094/month in Atlanta.

Can I afford to live alone in Atlanta on $80K?

It's tight. Rent in Atlanta would take 41% of your $80K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Atlanta vs Houston

$40K$50K$60K$75K$100K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only