CostIndexUSA

Atlanta, GA vs Austin, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

GA
Atlanta
100.1
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Austin
98.1
overall index
$1,550/mo rent

Austin is slightly cheaper than Atlanta — 2.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlanta, you would need $78,400 in Austin. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+8.5%
Atlanta
111
Austin
120.4
🛒 Groceries6.6%
Atlanta
100.4
Austin
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Atlanta
101.5
Austin
101.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Atlanta
91.9
Austin
91.4
Utilities14.8%
Atlanta
96.2
Austin
82

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Atlanta to see what you'd need to earn in Austin to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Austin, TX
$78,400
$1,600 less needed in Austin

Formula: salary × (98.1 ÷ 100.1) = salary × 0.9800. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
111
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3×

Austin, TX

Median Home Price
$420,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
120.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.6×

Austin has 8.5% higher housing costs compared to Atlanta.

Income & Job Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Household Income
$86,500
Per Capita Income
$49,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
498,715
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaHealthcareLogistics

Austin, TX

Median Household Income
$98,500
Per Capita Income
$56,100
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
978,908
Top Industries
TechnologyGovernmentHealthcareEducationEntertainment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Atlanta, GA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Austin, TX
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.