Cost of living · head to head
Atlanta, GA is 12% cheaper than Los Angeles, CA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
Atlanta, GAoverall index
100.1
Try your own salary
in Los Angeles, CA
To live the same in Atlanta, GA, you’d need about $88,116.
That’s about $11,884 less — Atlanta, GA is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 12%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Atlanta, GA runs 35% lower than in Los Angeles, CA (111 vs 170.4), 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 Los Angeles, CA | $44,058 |
| $75,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $66,087 |
| $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $88,116 |
| $150,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $132,174 |
| $200,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $176,232 |
Each row shows the salary in Atlanta, GA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles, CA · housing
170.4
Atlanta, GA · housing
111
Common questions
Is Atlanta, GA cheaper than Los Angeles, CA?
Yes — Atlanta, GA has an overall cost-of-living index of 100.1 versus 113.6 for Los Angeles, CA, making it about 12% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Atlanta, GA to match $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA?
About $88,116. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Los Angeles, CA costs roughly $88,116 in Atlanta, GA.
Is housing cheaper in Atlanta, GA than in Los Angeles, CA?
Housing in Atlanta, GA scores 111 versus 170.4 in Los Angeles, CA — about 35% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Los Angeles, CA and Atlanta, GA?
Overall, Atlanta, GA is about 12% cheaper than Los Angeles, CA (index 100.1 vs 113.6), with housing 35% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.