Atlanta, GA vs Washington, DC: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Washington, DC is 8.8% more expensive than Atlanta, GA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Atlanta works out to about $81,600 in Washington, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 36.1% more in Washington. Goods are 4.4% higher and other services 5.8% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $2,407 a month in Washington and $1,843 in Atlanta, $6,768 a year more in Washington (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $570,000 in Washington and $376,000 in Atlanta.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Washington was 11.9% more expensive than Atlanta.
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: 36.1% higher in Washington than in Atlanta
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
All items Atlanta, GA: 100.1 Washington, DC: 108.9
Goods Atlanta, GA: 100.4 Washington, DC: 104.8
Housing (rents) Atlanta, GA: 111.0 Washington, DC: 151.1
Utilities Atlanta, GA: 96.2 Washington, DC: 106.7
Other services Atlanta, GA: 96.7 Washington, DC: 102.3
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlanta, GA | Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 100.1 | 108.9 |
| Goods | 100.4 | 104.8 |
| Housing (rents) | 111.0 | 151.1 |
| Utilities | 96.2 | 106.7 |
| Other services | 96.7 | 102.3 |
| Category | Atlanta | Washington | Washington vs Atlanta |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 100.1 | 108.9 | +8.8% |
| Goods | 100.4 | 104.8 | +4.4% |
| Housing (rents) | 111.0 | 151.1 | +36.1% |
| Utilities | 96.2 | 106.7 | +10.9% |
| Other services | 96.7 | 102.3 | +5.8% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,843 | $2,407 | +30.6% |
| Typical home value | $376,000 | $570,000 | +51.6% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Atlanta | $75,000 | $81,600 | +8.8% |
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 Washington has narrowed since 2008: 16.7 points then, 8.8 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlanta, GA | Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.1 | 114.8 |
| 2009 | 95.1 | 115.0 |
| 2010 | 98.3 | 114.6 |
| 2011 | 96.5 | 113.5 |
| 2012 | 99.2 | 111.7 |
| 2013 | 98.3 | 113.9 |
| 2014 | 98.5 | 113.7 |
| 2015 | 98.1 | 113.7 |
| 2016 | 98.4 | 112.1 |
| 2017 | 99.4 | 109.8 |
| 2018 | 98.2 | 111.2 |
| 2019 | 98.1 | 109.8 |
| 2020 | 98.7 | 111.4 |
| 2021 | 99.0 | 111.6 |
| 2022 | 98.6 | 111.2 |
| 2023 | 100.5 | 109.5 |
| 2024 | 100.1 | 108.9 |
Goods
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlanta, GA | Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 93.9 | 111.6 |
| 2009 | 97.7 | 112.6 |
| 2010 | 96.7 | 108.5 |
| 2011 | 97.8 | 106.5 |
| 2012 | 99.8 | 104.9 |
| 2013 | 99.8 | 108.9 |
| 2014 | 99.4 | 104.0 |
| 2015 | 99.4 | 104.0 |
| 2016 | 98.9 | 104.2 |
| 2017 | 99.2 | 103.1 |
| 2018 | 99.0 | 105.2 |
| 2019 | 97.0 | 104.1 |
| 2020 | 97.1 | 104.8 |
| 2021 | 97.1 | 108.5 |
| 2022 | 99.1 | 106.9 |
| 2023 | 98.5 | 106.4 |
| 2024 | 100.4 | 104.8 |
Housing (rents)
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlanta, GA | Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.6 | 168.2 |
| 2009 | 101.1 | 168.9 |
| 2010 | 96.5 | 171.2 |
| 2011 | 96.0 | 173.2 |
| 2012 | 95.4 | 172.3 |
| 2013 | 94.0 | 176.2 |
| 2014 | 95.0 | 175.2 |
| 2015 | 96.0 | 171.4 |
| 2016 | 98.3 | 170.9 |
| 2017 | 98.8 | 166.2 |
| 2018 | 98.9 | 169.0 |
| 2019 | 99.6 | 162.9 |
| 2020 | 102.7 | 165.1 |
| 2021 | 105.5 | 162.5 |
| 2022 | 107.3 | 157.1 |
| 2023 | 110.9 | 151.9 |
| 2024 | 111.0 | 151.1 |
Utilities
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlanta, GA | Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 94.8 | 116.4 |
| 2009 | 92.9 | 120.6 |
| 2010 | 98.8 | 107.3 |
| 2011 | 103.3 | 105.8 |
| 2012 | 101.8 | 107.9 |
| 2013 | 101.3 | 107.4 |
| 2014 | 98.5 | 104.2 |
| 2015 | 101.9 | 108.0 |
| 2016 | 102.4 | 112.4 |
| 2017 | 105.1 | 108.1 |
| 2018 | 98.9 | 103.7 |
| 2019 | 101.7 | 102.8 |
| 2020 | 101.3 | 104.7 |
| 2021 | 100.0 | 108.3 |
| 2022 | 102.2 | 101.7 |
| 2023 | 96.9 | 105.7 |
| 2024 | 96.2 | 106.7 |
Other services
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlanta, GA | Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.6 | 105.5 |
| 2009 | 91.5 | 104.7 |
| 2010 | 100.2 | 106.8 |
| 2011 | 95.2 | 106.1 |
| 2012 | 99.8 | 104.1 |
| 2013 | 98.4 | 104.7 |
| 2014 | 99.0 | 107.8 |
| 2015 | 97.5 | 108.3 |
| 2016 | 98.0 | 105.3 |
| 2017 | 99.5 | 102.9 |
| 2018 | 97.4 | 103.9 |
| 2019 | 98.3 | 102.6 |
| 2020 | 98.7 | 103.9 |
| 2021 | 98.6 | 102.6 |
| 2022 | 95.5 | 104.4 |
| 2023 | 99.0 | 102.4 |
| 2024 | 96.7 | 102.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,407 in Washington vs $1,843 in Atlanta
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
- 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 | Washington, DC | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $995 | $1,697 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,024 | $1,721 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,033 | $1,722 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,038 | $1,712 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,055 | $1,729 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,080 | $1,750 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,092 | $1,752 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,095 | $1,739 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,118 | $1,769 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,152 | $1,795 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,165 | $1,794 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,165 | $1,783 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,191 | $1,805 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,222 | $1,835 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,228 | $1,840 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,245 | $1,843 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,268 | $1,865 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,298 | $1,895 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,309 | $1,901 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,304 | $1,891 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,324 | $1,918 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,342 | $1,912 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,378 | $1,895 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,394 | $1,847 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,445 | $1,871 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,528 | $1,949 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,638 | $2,033 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,662 | $2,043 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,681 | $2,075 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,734 | $2,149 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,767 | $2,184 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,739 | $2,138 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,754 | $2,176 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,766 | $2,221 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,766 | $2,249 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,733 | $2,229 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,751 | $2,265 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,768 | $2,325 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,770 | $2,346 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,751 | $2,321 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,780 | $2,365 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,793 | $2,389 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,805 | $2,375 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,790 | $2,336 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,800 | $2,364 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,826 | $2,391 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,843 | $2,407 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $570,000 in Washington vs $376,000 in Atlanta
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
- 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 | Washington, DC | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $176K | $372K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $179K | $373K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $183K | $375K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $187K | $379K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $191K | $382K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $195K | $382K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $197K | $383K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $201K | $388K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $206K | $393K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $210K | $396K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $213K | $397K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $218K | $402K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $224K | $407K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $228K | $409K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $233K | $413K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $237K | $415K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $242K | $420K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $244K | $424K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $246K | $425K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $250K | $430K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $256K | $438K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $257K | $442K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $263K | $448K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $275K | $465K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $289K | $481K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $306K | $500K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $320K | $505K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $336K | $507K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $360K | $525K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $381K | $543K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $384K | $535K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $379K | $530K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $376K | $529K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $379K | $537K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $385K | $545K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $388K | $547K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $391K | $552K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $394K | $561K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $394K | $564K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $392K | $570K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $389K | $573K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $384K | $570K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $382K | $569K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $381K | $571K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $379K | $571K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $377K | $568K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $376K | $570K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Atlanta, GA
- Cost of living in Washington, DC
- Reverse: moving from Washington 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.