Cost of living, Atlanta

100.1

BEA Regional Price Parity vs US average of 100 (2024). Atlanta sits about 0.1% above national prices.

BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA RPP all-items, 2024. Disclaimer

vs US
+0.1%
Metro
Atlanta
CBSA
12060

Atlanta all-items RPP is 100.1 (2024), about 0.1% above US-average prices. A $90,000 salary at national prices maps to about $90,090 here for equal purchasing power.

Price components in Atlanta

ComponentAtlantaUS
All items100.1100
Goods100.4100
Housing (rents)111.0100
Other services96.7100

BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, US = 100.

What a US-average salary buys in Atlanta

At US averageIn Atlanta
$60,000$60,060
$90,000$90,090
$150,000$150,150

Local equivalent = national salary × (100.1 ÷ 100). BEA RPP 2024.

Compare a move from Atlanta

Top wages here

FAQ

What is the cost of living in Atlanta?
The BEA Regional Price Parity (all items, 2024) for Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA is 100.1, versus a US average of 100 (+0.1%).
How is RPP different from CPI?
CPI tracks price change over time. RPP compares price levels across places in a given year versus the national average of 100. PayByCity uses RPP for cross-metro purchasing power, including goods, housing rents, and other services components.
How should I use this with OEWS wages?
Pair local BLS OEWS medians (May 2025) with this RPP. A $90,000 salary at US-average prices maps to about $90,090 in Atlanta for equal purchasing power.
Does this include taxes or housing alone?
No. All-items RPP is a broad price-level index. Component indexes show goods, rents, and other services separately, but this is not a rent quote, tax estimate, or household budget.

What this covers

Includes

  • BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
  • BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
  • Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)

Does not include

  • Federal, state, or local income taxes
  • Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
  • Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand

Highest wages here

See methodology and disclaimer.