Georgia Cost of Living Calculator
Georgia scores 90.1 on the C2ER cost of living index (housing 77.6, Q2 2026): $75,000 at the U.S. average equals about $67,575 here; its highest part is health care at 100.2.
| Index | Georgia |
|---|---|
| Composite (sets the equivalent salary) | 90.1 |
| Housing (sets the equivalent rent) | 77.6 |
| Groceries | 97.2 |
| Utilities | 98.0 |
| Transportation | 90.7 |
| Health care | 100.2 |
| Other goods and services | 94.1 |
Source: MERIC Cost of Living Data Series, C2ER (https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series).
Enter Your Details
Adjust values to see instant results
Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index)
Additional Details
Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index, Housing component)
Equivalent Salary Needed
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Salary Difference
-$7,425.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
Georgia's figures fill the destination side: composite 90.1 for the salary, housing 77.6 for the rent, and 4.99% flat for the tax line.
How the salary, rent and tax lines are worked out (the same for every state)
Key State Information
Georgia ranks 11th lowest of the 50 states on the composite index (90.1). Median household income: $79,991 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B19013). Statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD FY2027): $1,528 a month.
What Georgia's index does to a salary and a rent
| Salary at the U.S. average | Same buying power in Georgia | Rent at the U.S. average → in Georgia | Georgia income tax on that salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $45,050 | $1,000 → $776 | $1,649 (3.7%) |
| $75,000 | $67,575 | $1,500 → $1,164 | $2,773 (4.1%) |
| $100,000 | $90,100 | $2,000 → $1,552 | $3,897 (4.3%) |
| $150,000 | $135,150 | $2,500 → $1,940 | $6,145 (4.5%) |
Georgia 2026 single-filer rates, after Georgia Department of Revenue — 2025 IT-511 Individual Income Tax Booklet (tax year 2025).
Georgia and the states it borders
| State | Its composite / housing | $75,000 there = in Georgia | $1,500 rent there = in Georgia | $75,000 in Georgia = there | Income tax there → here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 86.0 / 68.6 | $78,576 | $1,697 | $71,587 | 5% top rate → 4.99% flat |
| Florida | 100.8 / 99.3 | $67,039 | $1,172 | $83,907 | none on wages → 4.99% flat |
| North Carolina | 96.7 / 91.4 | $69,881 | $1,274 | $80,494 | 3.99% flat → 4.99% flat |
| South Carolina | 92.7 / 79.5 | $72,896 | $1,464 | $77,164 | 5.21% top rate → 4.99% flat |
| Tennessee | 89.7 / 80.0 | $75,334 | $1,455 | $74,667 | none on wages → 4.99% flat |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Georgia?
Georgia's composite index is 90.1 for Q2 2026, the 11th lowest of the 50 states, tied with Nebraska. A $75,000 salary at the national average buys what about $67,575 buys in Georgia.
Which prices are highest and lowest in Georgia?
Against a U.S. average of 100, Georgia's highest part is health care (100.2) and its lowest is housing (77.6); health care is above the national average, the other five at or below it (C2ER, Q2 2026).
What salary keeps a two-bedroom rent in Georgia at 30% of income?
About $61,120 a year: Georgia's FY2027 statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,528 a month, and $18,336 a year is 30% of that salary.