coziroof

Quick answer

Houston is 101% cheaper than Atlanta overall. A $100K salary in Houston is equivalent to $201,000 in Atlanta.

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Houston vs Atlanta Cost of Living (2026)

Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.

Overall COL difference

Houston is 101% cheaper

1BR rent difference

+29% (B vs A)

$100K in A = in B

$201,000

Houston vs Atlanta: Side-by-Side

Category
Houston
Atlanta
Diff

1BR median rent

$1,280/mo

$1,650/mo

+29%

2BR median rent

$1,620/mo

$2,100/mo

+30%

Median home price

$305K

$385K

+26%

Avg monthly groceries

$350

$360

+3%

Avg monthly utilities

$190

$165

-13%

State income tax

None

5.49%

Houston saves

Walk score

48/100

48/100

Tied

Transit score

36/100

42/100

Atlanta better

Salary Equivalency Calculator

How much you need to earn in Atlanta to maintain the same standard of living as your current Houston salary — and vice versa.

Houston salary
Atlanta equivalent
Atlanta salary → Houston equiv.

$60,000

$120,000

$30,000

$80,000

$161,000

$40,000

$100,000

$201,000

$50,000

$120,000

$241,000

$60,000

$150,000

$301,000

$75,000

Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.

Monthly Budget: Houston vs Atlanta

Houston, TX
1BR rent$1,280/mo
Groceries$350/mo
Utilities$190/mo
Transport (est.)$350/mo
State income taxNone
Essentials total$2,170/mo
Atlanta, GA
1BR rent$1,650/mo
Groceries$360/mo
Utilities$165/mo
Transport (est.)$350/mo
State income tax5.49%
Essentials total$2,525/mo

Who Each City Is Best For

Houston is best for

  • energy sector workers
  • healthcare professionals
  • remote workers
  • families on a budget

Atlanta is best for

  • tech workers
  • film industry professionals
  • logistics professionals
  • Southern culture enthusiasts

FAQs

Is Houston or Atlanta cheaper to live in?

Houston is 101% cheaper than Atlanta overall. Houston 1BR rent ($1,280/mo) vs Atlanta ($1,650/mo). Median home price: Houston $305K vs Atlanta $385K.

How much salary do I need in Atlanta to match $100K in Houston?

$201,000 in Atlanta is equivalent to $100,000 in Houston based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+29% difference) and state taxes (Houston: None vs Atlanta: 5.49%).

What is the rent difference between Houston and Atlanta?

1BR: Houston $1,280/mo vs Atlanta $1,650/mo (+29%). 2BR: Houston $1,620/mo vs Atlanta $2,100/mo (+30%).

Does Houston or Atlanta have lower taxes?

Houston (TX) has None state income tax. Atlanta (GA) has 5.49% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$5,490.