Washington, GA vs Alma, GA: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Alma, GA has a modeled overall cost index 6.6% lower than Washington, GA.

Washington, GA · modeled 2BR rent
$970 / month
Alma, GA · modeled 2BR rent
$980 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Washington, GA and Alma, GA using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated savings: $439/month in Alma, GA

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $144,728 in Alma, GA

Regional cost estimates: Washington, GA uses Atlanta, GA. Alma, GA uses Jacksonville, FL. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↓ 6.6%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$439
Savings
Annual Impact
$5.3K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Washington, GA

Population:4K
Cost Index:
81.8
100 = national average
Typical Home:$161K

Alma, GA

Population:3K
Cost Index:
76.4
100 = national average
Typical Home:$148K

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Washington, GA

The Peach State

4K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Georgia, this city has a population of 4K residents.

Alma, GA

The Peach State

3K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Georgia, this city has a population of 3K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Washington, GA vs Alma, GA

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↓ 11.3%
Washington, GA
$2,170
Alma, GA
$1,924
Difference
$246
less
Other
↓ 11.1%
Washington, GA
$1,769
Alma, GA
$1,572
Difference
$197
less
Groceries
↑ 9.1%
Washington, GA
$1,003
Alma, GA
$1,094
Difference
$90.83
more
Transportation
↓ 6.6%
Washington, GA
$1,330
Alma, GA
$1,243
Difference
$87.54
less
All Utilities
↑ 0.7%
Washington, GA
$611
Alma, GA
$616
Difference
$4.40
more
Healthcare
↓ 0.6%
Washington, GA
$616
Alma, GA
$612
Difference
$3.71
less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$770
To$770
→ $0
1 Bed
From$770
To$780
↑ $10.00
2 Bed
From$970
To$980
↑ $10.00
3 Bed
From$1,260
To$1,360
↑ $100
Washington, GAZIP-level data

1BR range: $770–$770/mo

Alma, GAZIP-level data

1BR range: $780–$780/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Washington, GA
$7,061
Monthly in Alma, GA
$439
Difference

Home Values

Washington
Alma
$161K
Median Value
$148K
↑ +4.7%
YoY Change
↑ +2.9%
↑ +54.1%
5-Year Change
↑ +49%

Homes in Alma are 8% less expensive than Washington

Calculate payment - WashingtonCalculate payment - Alma

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
→ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Washington, 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

Alma, 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

Additional Tax Information

Washington, GA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.3%
Property Tax:0.9%

Alma, GA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.3%
Property Tax:0.9%

💡 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.

Environment

Washington
Alma
50 Good
Air Quality
50 Good
50.8%
Good Air Days
51.9%
96 High
Climate Risk
97 High
🌊🌪💨
Top Hazards
🌊🌅🌀
▲+2.7°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.3°F
28 days
Heat Days >95°F
36 days
▲+2.7°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.3°F
28 days
Heat Days >95°F
36 days

Before moving from Washington, GA to Alma, GA

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Alma, GA for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Washington, GA. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Washington to Alma moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Alma, GA by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Washington, GA vs Alma, GA

How do the cost estimates for Washington, GA and Alma, GA compare?

Alma, GA has a modeled overall cost index 6.6% lower than Washington, GA. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Washington, GA, the model estimates $144,728 in Alma, GA. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Washington, GA and Alma, GA?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $970/month in Washington, GA and $980/month in Alma, GA. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

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