Cost of living · head to head
Atlanta, GA is 8% cheaper than Boston, MA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Boston, MAoverall index
108.3
Atlanta, GAoverall index
100.1
Try your own salary
in Boston, MA
To live the same in Atlanta, GA, you’d need about $92,428.
That’s about $7,572 less — Atlanta, GA is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 8%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Atlanta, GA runs 25% lower than in Boston, MA (111 vs 148.4), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Atlanta, GA
| $50,000 in Boston, MA | $46,214 |
| $75,000 in Boston, MA | $69,321 |
| $100,000 in Boston, MA | $92,428 |
| $150,000 in Boston, MA | $138,643 |
| $200,000 in Boston, MA | $184,857 |
Each row shows the salary in Atlanta, GA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Boston, MA.
Boston, MA · housing
148.4
Atlanta, GA · housing
111
Common questions
Is Atlanta, GA cheaper than Boston, MA?
Yes — Atlanta, GA has an overall cost-of-living index of 100.1 versus 108.3 for Boston, MA, making it about 8% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Atlanta, GA to match $100,000 in Boston, MA?
About $92,428. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Boston, MA costs roughly $92,428 in Atlanta, GA.
Is housing cheaper in Atlanta, GA than in Boston, MA?
Housing in Atlanta, GA scores 111 versus 148.4 in Boston, MA — about 25% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Boston, MA and Atlanta, GA?
Overall, Atlanta, GA is about 8% cheaper than Boston, MA (index 100.1 vs 108.3), with housing 25% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.