CostIndexUSA

Atlanta, GA vs Newark, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Atlanta
100.1
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
NJ
Newark
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

Atlanta is moderately cheaper than Newark — 12.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlanta, you would need $90,000 in Newark. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+33.9%
Atlanta
111
Newark
148.6
🛒 Groceries+9.9%
Atlanta
100.4
Newark
110.3
🚗 Transportation+9.5%
Atlanta
101.5
Newark
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+9.4%
Atlanta
91.9
Newark
100.5
Utilities+32.0%
Atlanta
96.2
Newark
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Newark, NJ
$90,000
$10,000 more needed in Newark

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 100.1) = salary × 1.1249. 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×

Newark, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Newark has 33.9% 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

Newark, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
311,549
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernmentFinance

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)

Newark, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% 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.