Atlanta, GA vs Denver, CO: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Atlanta is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Denver are 6.0% higher, and housing prices differ the most (114.3 in Atlanta vs 139.6 in Denver). A single adult's modelled budget is $3,203 a month in Atlanta and $3,249 in Denver.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Atlanta, GA | Denver, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 101.2 | 107.3 |
| BEA index for the area | 100.1 | 105.8 |
| Housing (rents) | 114.3 | 139.6 |
| Goods | 100.4 | 101.0 |
| Utilities | 96.2 | 87.9 |
| Other services | 96.7 | 99.4 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $3,203 | $3,249 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $4,805 | $5,064 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $5,438 | $6,227 |
| Median gross rent | $1,711 | $1,831 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,665 | $1,653 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $1,826 | $2,006 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $1,680 | $2,410 |
| Median home value | $439,600 | $616,000 |
| Median household income | $85,652 | $94,718 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 30.9% | 29.2% |
| Home value ÷ income | 5.1× | 6.5× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 15.90 | 17.17 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $3.69 † | $4.07 |
| Population | 505,268 | 718,877 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta price index by category, US average = 100: All items 101.2, Housing (rents) 114.3, Goods 100.4, Utilities 96.2, Other services 96.7
Denver, CO
Denver price index by category, US average = 100: All items 107.3, Housing (rents) 139.6, Goods 101.0, Utilities 87.9, Other services 99.4
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | Atlanta | Denver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,544 | $2,286 | +$742 |
| Utilities | $511 | $421 | −$90 |
| Food at home | $746 | $750 | +$4 |
| Transportation | $1,627 | $1,739 | +$112 |
| Health care | $587 | $604 | +$17 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $423 | $427 | +$4 |
| Total | $5,438 | $6,227 | +$789 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Denver more expensive than Atlanta?
Yes. Overall prices in Denver, CO (index 107.3) are 6.0% higher than in Atlanta, GA (index 101.2), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in housing (rents): 139.6 vs 114.3.
What salary do I need in Denver to match $60,000 in Atlanta?
About $63,600. Going the other way, $60,000 in Denver buys about as much as $56,600 in Atlanta. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Atlanta or Denver?
Median gross rent is $1,711 in Atlanta and $1,831 in Denver (+7.0% in Denver; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $439,600 and $616,000.
Notes
- Atlanta: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources