Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs Atlanta

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and Atlanta, Georgia.

Bottom line

Atlanta is approximately 25% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $3,980/mo in Atlanta versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Columbus vs Atlanta

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Atlanta · Studio

$1,591

Atlanta is $487 (44%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Atlanta · 1 bedroom

$1,653

Atlanta is $459 (38%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Atlanta · 2 bedroom

$1,830

Atlanta is $385 (27%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Atlanta · 3 bedroom

$2,205

Atlanta is $464 (27%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Columbus vs Atlanta

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Atlanta · Household income

$91,490

Atlanta is $17,695 (24%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Atlanta · Individual earnings

$56,269

Atlanta is $10,981 (24%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Atlanta · Per capita

$61,438

Atlanta is $18,583 (43%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Columbus vs Atlanta

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Atlanta · Average home value

$431,200

Atlanta is $165,500 (62%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Atlanta · Annual property tax

$3,847

Columbus is $263 (7%) higher than Atlanta

Energy in Columbus vs Atlanta

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Atlanta · Monthly electricity

$163

Atlanta is $32 (24%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Atlanta · Monthly gas

$42

Columbus is $21 (50%) higher than Atlanta

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Atlanta · Annual total

$2,460

Atlanta is $132 (6%) higher than Columbus

Healthcare in Columbus vs Atlanta

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Atlanta · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and Atlanta are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Atlanta · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and Atlanta are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Atlanta · Uninsured rate

9.7%

Atlanta is 1.3% (15%) higher than Columbus

Taxes in Columbus vs Atlanta

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Atlanta · State income tax

5.5%

Atlanta is 2.0% (57%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Atlanta · State sales tax

4.0%

Columbus is 1.8% (44%) higher than Atlanta

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Atlanta · Combined sales tax

7.4%

Atlanta is 0.1% (2%) higher than Columbus

Transportation in Columbus vs Atlanta

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Atlanta · Average commute

28.0 min

Atlanta is 6.2 min (28%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Atlanta · Drive alone

58.9%

Columbus is 11.6% (20%) higher than Atlanta

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Atlanta · Public transit

4.4%

Atlanta is 2.7% (159%) higher than Columbus

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs Atlanta

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Atlanta · Single person

$3,980

Atlanta is $802 (25%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Atlanta · Couple

$5,478

Atlanta is $939 (21%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Atlanta · Family

$7,989

Atlanta is $1,025 (15%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and Atlanta.

Is Columbus or Atlanta more expensive?

Atlanta is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $3,980/mo in Atlanta, Georgia, a difference of about 25%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Atlanta?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $1,653/mo in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta is approximately $459 (38%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or Atlanta?

Atlanta has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; Atlanta households earn approximately $91,490 per year.

More on Columbus and Atlanta

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Columbus profile Atlanta profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.