Atlanta, GA vs Raleigh, NC Cost of Living (2026)

Atlanta has a cost of living index of 94.6, about 5.4% below the national average. Housing runs below the national baseline, with a housing index of 83.2. Typical apartment rent is about $1,500 a month, and median home values are around $418,200. The median household income is approximately $74,000.

A $100,000 salary in an average-cost city stretches to about $105,700 in Atlanta. That extra room can make it easier to save, pay down debt, or stretch for a better housing setup. Most everyday categories stay manageable here, although transportation still runs a bit high.

Georgia has a flat state income tax of 5.49% as of 2024, with a planned reduction to 4.99% over coming years. That's a moderate rate. There is no Atlanta city income tax. Sales tax in Fulton County runs around 8.9%, which is on the higher side. Property taxes in the city of Atlanta are moderate by national standards, and homestead exemptions reduce the effective burden for owner-occupants.

One practical cost consideration in Atlanta is transportation. The metro is heavily car-dependent, and the expressway network is congested during peak hours. MARTA rail covers portions of the city and the airport but does not reach most suburbs. Vehicle ownership, insurance, and fuel represent a significant portion of monthly expenses for most Atlanta households. Car insurance rates in Georgia are above the national average, typically running $1,600 to $2,200 per year for a standard policy.

Raleigh has a cost of living index of 94.7, about 5.3% below the national average. Housing runs below the national baseline, with a housing index of 87.5. Typical apartment rent is about $1,492 a month, and median home values are around $453,944. The median household income is approximately $72,000. Raleigh has seen rapid growth driven by the Research Triangle Park corridor, which houses major employers in technology, pharmaceuticals, and research.

A $100,000 salary in an average-cost city stretches to about $105,600 in Raleigh. That extra room can make it easier to save, pay down debt, or stretch for a better housing setup. Most everyday categories stay manageable here, although healthcare still runs a bit high.

North Carolina has a flat state income tax of 4.5%, which is straightforward and relatively low. There is no Raleigh city income tax. Sales tax in Wake County runs about 7.25%. Property taxes in Wake County are moderate, with effective rates around 0.8 to 1.0% of assessed value.

One specific dynamic in Raleigh: the growth of Research Triangle Park companies has created significant salary variation within the metro. Tech workers at IBM, Cisco, or SAS often earn $120,000 to $180,000 or more, while service, healthcare support, and government workers may earn $45,000 to $70,000. The same apartment costs the same for both groups, so workers at the lower end of the income spectrum face more budget pressure than the city-level median income suggests.