City comparison
Atlanta vs Washington Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Atlanta (110.5) and Washington (142.9).
Atlanta Index
110.5
Washington Index
142.9
Atlanta Rent
$2,375
Washington Rent
$3,800
Atlanta Home price
$410,000
Washington Home price
$705,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Atlanta to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Washington.
Equivalent salary in Washington
$113,803
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Atlanta and Washington.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Atlanta | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 129 | 201 | +72.0 (+55.8%) |
| Groceries | 101 | 117 | +16.0 (+15.8%) |
| Transportation | 103 | 109 | +6.0 (+5.8%) |
| Healthcare | 97 | 111 | +14.0 (+14.4%) |
| Utilities | 100 | 104 | +4.0 (+4.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 102 | 118 | +16.0 (+15.7%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,990 / $6,720
Atlanta / Washington
Couple
$8,280 / $11,160
Atlanta / Washington
Family
$11,680 / $15,720
Atlanta / Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Atlanta city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Atlanta.
View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.