Cost of living · head to head
Atlanta, GA is 3% cheaper than Phoenix, AZ.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Phoenix, AZoverall index
103.3
Atlanta, GAoverall index
100.1
Try your own salary
in Phoenix, AZ
To live the same in Atlanta, GA, you’d need about $96,902.
That’s about $3,098 less — Atlanta, GA is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 3%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Atlanta, GA runs 8% lower than in Phoenix, AZ (111 vs 121.2), 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 Phoenix, AZ | $48,451 |
| $75,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $72,677 |
| $100,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $96,902 |
| $150,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $145,353 |
| $200,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $193,804 |
Each row shows the salary in Atlanta, GA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Phoenix, AZ.
Phoenix, AZ · housing
121.2
Atlanta, GA · housing
111
Common questions
Is Atlanta, GA cheaper than Phoenix, AZ?
Yes — Atlanta, GA has an overall cost-of-living index of 100.1 versus 103.3 for Phoenix, AZ, making it about 3% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Atlanta, GA to match $100,000 in Phoenix, AZ?
About $96,902. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Phoenix, AZ costs roughly $96,902 in Atlanta, GA.
Is housing cheaper in Atlanta, GA than in Phoenix, AZ?
Housing in Atlanta, GA scores 111 versus 121.2 in Phoenix, AZ — about 8% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Phoenix, AZ and Atlanta, GA?
Overall, Atlanta, GA is about 3% cheaper than Phoenix, AZ (index 100.1 vs 103.3), with housing 8% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.