City comparison
Washington vs Atlanta Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Washington (142.9) and Atlanta (110.5).
Washington Index
142.9
Atlanta Index
110.5
Washington Rent
$3,800
Atlanta Rent
$2,375
Washington Home price
$705,000
Atlanta Home price
$410,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Washington to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Atlanta.
Equivalent salary in Atlanta
$92,019
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Washington and Atlanta.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Washington | Atlanta | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 201 | 129 | -72.0 (-35.8%) |
| Groceries | 117 | 101 | -16.0 (-13.7%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 103 | -6.0 (-5.5%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 97 | -14.0 (-12.6%) |
| Utilities | 104 | 100 | -4.0 (-3.8%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 102 | -16.0 (-13.6%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,720 / $4,990
Washington / Atlanta
Couple
$11,160 / $8,280
Washington / Atlanta
Family
$15,720 / $11,680
Washington / Atlanta
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
View Atlanta city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Atlanta.
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.