Atlanta, GA vs Riverside, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Riverside, CA is 6.4% more expensive than Atlanta, GA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Atlanta works out to about $79,800 in Riverside, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 16.5% more in Riverside. Goods are 1.0% higher and other services 4.7% higher.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 54.4% higher in Riverside.
- Typical asking rent is $2,533 a month in Riverside and $1,843 in Atlanta, $8,280 a year more in Riverside (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $580,000 in Riverside and $376,000 in Atlanta.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (7.7%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 16.5% higher in Riverside than in Atlanta
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Atlanta, GA
- Riverside, CA
All items Atlanta, GA: 100.1 Riverside, CA: 106.4
Goods Atlanta, GA: 100.4 Riverside, CA: 101.4
Housing (rents) Atlanta, GA: 111.0 Riverside, CA: 129.3
Utilities Atlanta, GA: 96.2 Riverside, CA: 148.6
Other services Atlanta, GA: 96.7 Riverside, CA: 101.3
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlanta, GA | Riverside, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 100.1 | 106.4 |
| Goods | 100.4 | 101.4 |
| Housing (rents) | 111.0 | 129.3 |
| Utilities | 96.2 | 148.6 |
| Other services | 96.7 | 101.3 |
| Category | Atlanta | Riverside | Riverside vs Atlanta |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 100.1 | 106.4 | +6.4% |
| Goods | 100.4 | 101.4 | +1.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 111.0 | 129.3 | +16.5% |
| Utilities | 96.2 | 148.6 | +54.4% |
| Other services | 96.7 | 101.3 | +4.7% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,843 | $2,533 | +37.4% |
| Typical home value | $376,000 | $580,000 | +54.4% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Atlanta | $75,000 | $79,800 | +6.4% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Atlanta and Riverside has narrowed since 2008: 8.2 points then, 6.4 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Atlanta, GA
- Riverside, CA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlanta, GA | Riverside, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.1 | 106.3 |
| 2009 | 95.1 | 106.2 |
| 2010 | 98.3 | 105.2 |
| 2011 | 96.5 | 104.6 |
| 2012 | 99.2 | 104.5 |
| 2013 | 98.3 | 105.7 |
| 2014 | 98.5 | 107.1 |
| 2015 | 98.1 | 107.1 |
| 2016 | 98.4 | 105.6 |
| 2017 | 99.4 | 102.8 |
| 2018 | 98.2 | 106.0 |
| 2019 | 98.1 | 105.7 |
| 2020 | 98.7 | 104.4 |
| 2021 | 99.0 | 105.6 |
| 2022 | 98.6 | 106.7 |
| 2023 | 100.5 | 107.3 |
| 2024 | 100.1 | 106.4 |
Goods
- Atlanta, GA
- Riverside, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlanta, GA | Riverside, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 93.9 | 103.6 |
| 2009 | 97.7 | 100.8 |
| 2010 | 96.7 | 98.5 |
| 2011 | 97.8 | 99.7 |
| 2012 | 99.8 | 102.0 |
| 2013 | 99.8 | 105.3 |
| 2014 | 99.4 | 104.7 |
| 2015 | 99.4 | 103.2 |
| 2016 | 98.9 | 100.1 |
| 2017 | 99.2 | 99.3 |
| 2018 | 99.0 | 99.8 |
| 2019 | 97.0 | 100.2 |
| 2020 | 97.1 | 102.8 |
| 2021 | 97.1 | 100.7 |
| 2022 | 99.1 | 102.5 |
| 2023 | 98.5 | 102.0 |
| 2024 | 100.4 | 101.4 |
Housing (rents)
- Atlanta, GA
- Riverside, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlanta, GA | Riverside, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.6 | 138.0 |
| 2009 | 101.1 | 134.2 |
| 2010 | 96.5 | 131.7 |
| 2011 | 96.0 | 129.4 |
| 2012 | 95.4 | 123.8 |
| 2013 | 94.0 | 126.2 |
| 2014 | 95.0 | 125.1 |
| 2015 | 96.0 | 121.6 |
| 2016 | 98.3 | 124.6 |
| 2017 | 98.8 | 123.6 |
| 2018 | 98.9 | 126.1 |
| 2019 | 99.6 | 128.8 |
| 2020 | 102.7 | 126.3 |
| 2021 | 105.5 | 129.6 |
| 2022 | 107.3 | 129.2 |
| 2023 | 110.9 | 132.0 |
| 2024 | 111.0 | 129.3 |
Utilities
- Atlanta, GA
- Riverside, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlanta, GA | Riverside, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 94.8 | 113.7 |
| 2009 | 92.9 | 112.4 |
| 2010 | 98.8 | 114.7 |
| 2011 | 103.3 | 116.5 |
| 2012 | 101.8 | 122.9 |
| 2013 | 101.3 | 119.8 |
| 2014 | 98.5 | 130.2 |
| 2015 | 101.9 | 130.8 |
| 2016 | 102.4 | 132.5 |
| 2017 | 105.1 | 138.1 |
| 2018 | 98.9 | 145.8 |
| 2019 | 101.7 | 152.1 |
| 2020 | 101.3 | 144.5 |
| 2021 | 100.0 | 151.5 |
| 2022 | 102.2 | 155.2 |
| 2023 | 96.9 | 164.3 |
| 2024 | 96.2 | 148.6 |
Other services
- Atlanta, GA
- Riverside, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlanta, GA | Riverside, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.6 | 98.1 |
| 2009 | 91.5 | 99.9 |
| 2010 | 100.2 | 100.0 |
| 2011 | 95.2 | 99.1 |
| 2012 | 99.8 | 98.9 |
| 2013 | 98.4 | 98.8 |
| 2014 | 99.0 | 101.7 |
| 2015 | 97.5 | 103.8 |
| 2016 | 98.0 | 101.9 |
| 2017 | 99.5 | 97.6 |
| 2018 | 97.4 | 102.5 |
| 2019 | 98.3 | 100.7 |
| 2020 | 98.7 | 97.3 |
| 2021 | 98.6 | 100.5 |
| 2022 | 95.5 | 101.1 |
| 2023 | 99.0 | 101.6 |
| 2024 | 96.7 | 101.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,533 in Riverside vs $1,843 in Atlanta
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Atlanta, GA
- Riverside, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Atlanta, GA | Riverside, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $995 | $1,294 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,024 | $1,317 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,033 | $1,342 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,038 | $1,351 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,055 | $1,366 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,080 | $1,384 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,092 | $1,405 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,095 | $1,410 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,118 | $1,444 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,152 | $1,478 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,165 | $1,498 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,165 | $1,512 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,191 | $1,538 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,222 | $1,564 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,228 | $1,591 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,245 | $1,604 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,268 | $1,622 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,298 | $1,648 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,309 | $1,672 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,304 | $1,678 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,324 | $1,697 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,342 | $1,708 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,378 | $1,789 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,394 | $1,845 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,445 | $1,917 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,528 | $2,008 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,638 | $2,133 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,662 | $2,159 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,681 | $2,226 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,734 | $2,295 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,767 | $2,312 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,739 | $2,289 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,754 | $2,314 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,766 | $2,338 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,766 | $2,347 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,733 | $2,344 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,751 | $2,368 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,768 | $2,393 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,770 | $2,422 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,751 | $2,418 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,780 | $2,446 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,793 | $2,461 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,805 | $2,462 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,790 | $2,467 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,800 | $2,493 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,826 | $2,518 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,843 | $2,533 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $580,000 in Riverside vs $376,000 in Atlanta
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Atlanta, GA
- Riverside, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Atlanta, GA | Riverside, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $176K | $285K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $179K | $290K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $183K | $295K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $187K | $297K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $191K | $304K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $195K | $311K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $197K | $312K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $201K | $306K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $206K | $318K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $210K | $330K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $213K | $339K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $218K | $352K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $224K | $359K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $228K | $363K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $233K | $368K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $237K | $374K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $242K | $376K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $244K | $375K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $246K | $377K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $250K | $385K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $256K | $391K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $257K | $392K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $263K | $400K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $275K | $424K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $289K | $446K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $306K | $474K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $320K | $497K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $336K | $517K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $360K | $546K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $381K | $574K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $384K | $571K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $379K | $562K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $376K | $549K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $379K | $552K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $385K | $564K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $388K | $575K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $391K | $579K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $394K | $586K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $394K | $590K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $392K | $594K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $389K | $590K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $384K | $583K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $382K | $577K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $381K | $579K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $379K | $582K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $377K | $580K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $376K | $580K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Atlanta, GA
- Cost of living in Riverside, CA
- Reverse: moving from Riverside to Atlanta
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.