Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Atlanta, GA?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 63.5% more expensive than Atlanta, GA. This translates to spending an extra $4762 per month.

What salary do I need in Los Angeles, CA to live like I do in Atlanta, GA?

If you earn $150,000 in Atlanta, GA, you'd need approximately $207,141.509 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Atlanta, GA and Los Angeles, CA?

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 195.2% more expensive than in Atlanta, GA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $2,140/month in Atlanta, GA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Atlanta, GA to Los Angeles, CA?

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $4762 more per month than Atlanta, GA, or $57142 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Atlanta, GA

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Los Angeles, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Atlanta, GA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $4.8K/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $207.1K in Los Angeles, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA area

Overall Cost

↑ 63.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$4,762

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$57.1K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Atlanta, GA

Population:499K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$441K

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:163

Median Home:$885K

Atlanta, GA

The Peach State

499K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Major transportation hub
•Capital of the South
•Delta Air Lines headquarters

Major Industries

TransportationTechnologyFilm ProductionFinance

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Atlanta, GA vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	Atlanta, GA	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,625/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $5,125more	195.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,448/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $710more	49.1%
📦Other	$1,925/mo	$1,731/mo	↓ $194less	10.1%
🛒Groceries	$959/mo	$1,040/mo	↑ $80.94more	8.4%
🏥Healthcare	$589/mo	$554/mo	↓ $34.70less	5.9%
⚡All Utilities	$585/mo	$557/mo	↓ $27.32less	4.7%

🏠Housing

↑ 195.2%

Atlanta, GA

$2,625

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$5,125

🚗Transportation

↑ 49.1%

Atlanta, GA

$1,448

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$710

📦Other

↓ 10.1%

Atlanta, GA

$1,925

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$194

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 8.4%

Atlanta, GA

$959

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$80.94

🏥Healthcare

↓ 5.9%

Atlanta, GA

$589

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$34.70

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 4.7%

Atlanta, GA

$585

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$27.32

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,865

To$1,910

↑ $45.00

1 Bed

From$1,950

To$2,135

↑ $185

2 Bed

From$2,140

To$2,660

↑ $520

3 Bed

From$2,565

To$3,370

↑ $805

Atlanta, GAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,110–$2,490/mo

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$8,130

Monthly in Atlanta, GA

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$5,660

Difference

Home Values

Atlanta

Los Angeles

$441K

Median Value

$885K

↓ -2.6%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↑ +17.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$202K - $1.46M

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 101% more expensive than Atlanta

Calculate payment - Atlanta Calculate payment - Los Angeles

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $2.2K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$181

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.4%

Rate difference

Atlanta, GA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Georgia State Tax

Effective: 5.6%

$8.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.3%

$45.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,711/month

$104.5K

Los Angeles, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Atlanta, GA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.3%

Property Tax:0.9%

Los Angeles, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.