City comparison
Atlanta vs Boston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Atlanta (110.5) and Boston (144.3).
Atlanta Index
110.5
Boston Index
144.3
Atlanta Rent
$2,375
Boston Rent
$3,775
Atlanta Home price
$410,000
Boston Home price
$722,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Atlanta to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Boston.
Equivalent salary in Boston
$114,918
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Atlanta and Boston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Atlanta | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 129 | 198 | +69.0 (+53.5%) |
| Groceries | 101 | 122 | +21.0 (+20.8%) |
| Transportation | 103 | 114 | +11.0 (+10.7%) |
| Healthcare | 97 | 113 | +16.0 (+16.5%) |
| Utilities | 100 | 106 | +6.0 (+6.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 102 | 121 | +19.0 (+18.6%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,990 / $6,790
Atlanta / Boston
Couple
$8,280 / $11,270
Atlanta / Boston
Family
$11,680 / $15,890
Atlanta / Boston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Atlanta city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Atlanta.
View Boston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Boston.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.