Cost of Living for Georgia (2026)
Georgia (GA) Key Facts
Cost of Living Index
93
National Average Index
100
Median Household Income
$61,000
Approximate Median Rent (1 B R)
$1,100/month
State Income Tax Rate
5.39%
How This Calculator Works in Georgia
This cost of living calculator helps you compare salaries between Georgia and other states or cities by adjusting for purchasing power differences. Enter a salary and a target location to see what equivalent income you would need. It uses Georgia's cost of living index of 93 relative to the national average of 100 to provide an accurate comparison.
Georgia Overview
Georgia has a cost of living index of 93, where 100 represents the national average. Atlanta drives Georgia's costs higher, but much of the state is well below the national average. Rural Georgia offers some of the most affordable living in the Southeast. The median household income is $61,000, which has a purchasing power equivalent of approximately $65,591 in an average-cost location.
How Georgia Compares
Georgia's cost of living index of 93 compares to Florida's 103 and Alabama's 89. Residents in Georgia benefit from lower costs compared to the national average, meaning salaries stretch further here. The most affordable states like Mississippi (84) cost roughly 11% less than Georgia, while the most expensive like Hawaii (192) cost 106% more.
| State | Top Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | COL Index: 103 | Florida has a cost of living index of 103 and a median household income of $63,000. It is more expensive than Georgia. |
| Alabama | COL Index: 89 | Alabama has a cost of living index of 89 and a median household income of $56,000. It is more affordable than Georgia. |
| Tennessee | COL Index: 90 | Tennessee has a cost of living index of 90 and a median household income of $56,000. It is more affordable than Georgia. |
The national average cost of living index is 100. Georgia's index of 93 is below the national average. States like Mississippi (84) and West Virginia (84) have the lowest cost of living, while Hawaii (192) and DC (148) have the highest. Georgia's median household income of $61,000 should be evaluated alongside its cost of living to understand real purchasing power.
Tips for Georgia Residents
- 1Atlanta drives Georgia's costs higher, but much of the state is well below the national average. Rural Georgia offers some of the most affordable living in the Southeast.
- 2Georgia's median household income of $61,000 has a real purchasing power of about $65,591 when adjusted to the national average. Compare this figure, not the raw salary, when evaluating cross-state moves or job offers.
- 3Georgia's top state income tax rate of 5.39% further reduces purchasing power beyond what the cost of living index alone shows. Factor in taxes when making state-to-state comparisons.
- 4When comparing job offers between states, adjust salaries by the cost of living index. A $60,000 salary in a state with an index of 90 provides more purchasing power than $70,000 in a state with an index above 105.
- 5Look beyond the state average — costs can vary dramatically within Georgia between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities. Research the specific city or county where you would live.