CostIndexUSA

Atlanta, GA vs Seattle, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Atlanta
100.1
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
WA
Seattle
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Atlanta is moderately cheaper than Seattle — 11.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlanta, you would need $88,800 in Seattle. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+36.3%
Atlanta
111
Seattle
151.3
🛒 Groceries+3.6%
Atlanta
100.4
Seattle
104
🚗 Transportation+10.5%
Atlanta
101.5
Seattle
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+10.4%
Atlanta
91.9
Seattle
101.5
Utilities3.5%
Atlanta
96.2
Seattle
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Seattle, WA
$88,800
$8,800 more needed in Seattle

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 100.1) = salary × 1.1099. 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×

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Seattle has 36.3% 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

Seattle, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
737,255
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceHealthcareRetailLogistics

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)

Seattle, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.