Cost of living in Georgia
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
Prices in Georgia are 3.7% below the national average — a Regional Price Parity of 96.3 (U.S. = 100), making it the #25 cheapest of 51 states and DC. Compare Georgia with any other state below, including the effect of taxes.
- Texas vs Georgia prices
- 0.8% pricier
- Take-home in Georgia at $75,000
- $58,599$4,883 / month
- Take-home you'd need in Texas
- $59,063$4,922 / month
- Take-home in Texas at the same $75,000
- $61,593$5,133 / month
- Same salary: change in real take-home
- +4.3%+$2,529 a year in Georgia buying power
Equivalent after tax = the gross pay in Texas whose take-home, adjusted for Texas prices, buys what your Georgia take-home buys today. Statewide averages — big metros (and rent) vary a lot within a state.
How to compare Georgia with another state
- Enter your salary — the calculator starts with Georgia as your current state.
- Pick the state you're comparing with (moving to Georgia? press ⇄ to swap).
- Read the salary with equal buying power after taxes, and the "same salary" change in your real take-home.
Georgia prices by category
| Category | Georgia | vs U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 96.3 | −3.7% |
| Goods | 98.9 | −1.1% |
| Housing (rent) | 88.7 | −11.3% |
| Utilities | 92.8 | −7.2% |
| Other services | 97.3 | −2.7% |
Low housing costs keep Georgia affordable: rents run 11% below average. The overall price level fell 0.2% relative to the nation versus 2023 (96.5). Housing covers rent and the rental value of owner-occupied homes; "other services" includes health care, dining out, transportation and education.
Take-home pay in Georgia, adjusted for prices
| Salary | Taxes | Take-home | Real take-home | U.S.-average equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $9,392 | $40,609 | $42,172 | $51,925 |
| $75,000 | $16,402 | $58,599 | $60,854 | $77,887 |
| $100,000 | $25,062 | $74,939 | $77,823 | $103,850 |
At $75,000, Georgia ranks #27 of 51 for real take-home pay, after both taxes and prices. Full paycheck details: Georgia paycheck calculator.
What $75,000 in Georgia equals in other states
Prices = price level relative to Georgia. "Salary (after tax)" is what you'd need to earn there, single filer, to live like you do on $75,000 in Georgia once both prices and state taxes are counted.
| State | Prices | Salary (prices only) | Salary (after tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | +7.4% | $80,546 | $76,904 |
| Alabama | −7.8% | $69,182 | $68,358 |
| Tennessee | −4.6% | $71,555 | $66,918 |
| North Carolina | −2.0% | $73,468 | $72,427 |
| South Carolina | −2.6% | $73,019 | $72,041 |
| State | Prices | Salary (prices only) | Salary (after tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | −9.7% | $67,713 | $65,541 |
| Mississippi | −9.7% | $67,725 | $65,491 |
| Iowa | −8.9% | $68,355 | $66,068 |
| Oklahoma | −8.8% | $68,419 | $66,941 |
| California | +15.0% | $86,237 | $90,884 |
| Hawaii | +14.2% | $85,638 | $90,305 |
| Washington, DC | +14.1% | $85,599 | $89,207 |
| New Jersey | +13.0% | $84,745 | $87,135 |
| Texas | +0.8% | $75,595 | $71,405 |
| New York | +12.1% | $84,057 | $87,230 |
Moving from Georgia to a pricier state? The "after taxes too" column folds in state income tax, so a no-tax state can beat a cheaper state with a high income tax. Statewide averages hide large metro differences — check local rents before you move.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by State, 2024 (table SARPP, released February 19, 2026, bea.gov). Take-home pay: our 2026 federal, FICA and state income-tax engine, single filer, no pre-tax deductions; local income taxes are not included.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Georgia expensive to live in?
Georgia has a price level of 96.3 (U.S. = 100), so living costs are 3.7% below the national average. It ranks #25 of 51 from cheapest to most expensive (BEA 2024).
How much do you need to make to live in Georgia?
To match the buying power of a $75,000 salary at national-average prices, you need about $72,220 in Georgia before taxes. After Georgia taxes, $75,000 takes home $58,599 — worth $60,854 at U.S.-average prices, #27 of 51 states.
How much more expensive is rent in Georgia?
Georgia's housing price level is 88.7, meaning rents are 11.3% below the national average. Goods are 98.9 and utilities 92.8.
Which neighboring state is cheapest?
Alabama (price level 88.8, −7.8% vs Georgia). A $75,000 Georgia salary is equivalent to $68,358 there after taxes.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.