United States
Cost of living in Georgia
Cost of living in Georgia sits at a regional price parity of 96.3, placing it 4 percent below the US average of 100 and 27th nationally out of 51 jurisdictions. That gap translates to roughly $40 less in everyday spending for every $1,000 compared to the national median. Georgia moved to a flat income tax of 5.39 percent for 2025, with a $12,000 single standard deduction, making the income tax burden moderate by Southeast standards. The state sales tax rate is a low 4 percent, though counties and municipalities add their own levies on top. For households relocating from pricier states like Texas (97.1) or Virginia (101.1), Georgia offers a meaningful discount. Metro Atlanta carries higher housing costs and local tax additions, but large parts of the state, especially inland college towns and rural counties, remain well below even the state average.
Price level
96.3
US = 100
National rank
27th
of 51, dearest first
Income tax
5.39%
flat
Sales tax
4%
state base rate
What your salary is worth in Georgia
Because prices here sit at 96.3 against the national 100, the same paycheck stretches differently than it would elsewhere. These figures hold buying power constant: the salary listed is what you would need in Georgia to live as you would on the reference amount in another place.
| Same lifestyle as | $60,000 | $100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| US average | $57,780 | $96,300 |
| California (dearest) | $52,195 | $86,992 |
| Arkansas (cheapest) | $66,490 | $110,817 |
Compare Georgia with anywhere in the US
To live the same in California you need
$80,467
to match $70,000 in Georgia
Price level, US = 100
The equivalent salary keeps your purchasing power constant: it is your pay scaled by the ratio of the two price levels. Regional Price Parities measure what a fixed basket of goods and services costs locally. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.
Georgia in context
Housing is the primary driver of Georgia's affordability advantage. Median home prices in second-tier cities such as Macon, Augusta, and Columbus run well below national norms, while Atlanta suburbs have appreciated sharply and partly erode the statewide discount. The flat income tax at 5.39 percent is not the lowest in the region but pairs with that 4 percent base sales tax to keep the total tax burden manageable. Retirees on fixed incomes benefit from Georgia's exemptions on retirement income up to certain thresholds. Remote workers pricing out of coastal metros and families seeking lower housing costs without sacrificing urban access tend to find the Atlanta corridor particularly competitive, provided they stay outside the inner perimeter where costs approach the national average.
The closest state above Georgia on price is Texas at 97.1. Just below sits Michigan at 96.2.
Frequently asked questions
Is Georgia expensive to live in?
Georgia sits at a price level of 96.3 where the US average is 100, so a typical basket of goods and services costs about 4% less than the national norm. That ranks it 27th most expensive of 51 states. Housing is usually the largest single driver of the gap.
What salary do you need in Georgia?
To match the buying power of $60,000 earned at the US average, you would need about $57,780 in Georgia. The figure scales with the price level: a place dearer than average needs more, a cheaper one needs less. Your own number also depends on housing choice and household size.
How much tax does Georgia charge?
Georgia applies a flat 5.39% state income tax and a base state sales tax of 4%. Moved to flat tax; rate reduced to 5.39% for 2025. Single standard deduction $12,000. Local jurisdictions can add their own sales tax on top.
Cost of living in other states
Price levels are Regional Price Parities from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities (SARPP, MARPP), 2024 (public domain). State tax figures are the latest published rates from state revenue departments. All figures are estimates for general comparison and not financial advice; your own costs depend on housing, household size and lifestyle.