Side-by-side comparison

Atlanta vs Seattle

Cost of living comparison for Atlanta, Georgia and Seattle, Washington.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 15% more expensive than Atlanta. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $3,980/mo in Atlanta.

Rent in Atlanta vs Seattle

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Atlanta · Studio

$1,591

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Seattle is $647 (41%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · 1 bedroom

$1,653

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Seattle is $640 (39%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · 2 bedroom

$1,830

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Seattle is $841 (46%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · 3 bedroom

$2,205

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Seattle is $1,316 (60%) higher than Atlanta

Income & earnings in Atlanta vs Seattle

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Atlanta · Household income

$91,490

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Seattle is $30,658 (34%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Individual earnings

$56,269

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Seattle is $10,872 (19%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Per capita

$61,438

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Seattle is $9,624 (16%) higher than Atlanta

Home values in Atlanta vs Seattle

Average values and property tax.

Atlanta · Average home value

$431,200

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Seattle is $380,000 (88%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Annual property tax

$3,847

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Seattle is $2,938 (76%) higher than Atlanta

Energy in Atlanta vs Seattle

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Atlanta · Monthly electricity

$163

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Atlanta is $54 (50%) higher than Seattle

Atlanta · Monthly gas

$42

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Seattle is $6 (14%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Annual total

$2,460

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Atlanta is $576 (31%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Atlanta vs Seattle

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Atlanta · Individual premium

$480

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Atlanta and Seattle are about the same

Atlanta · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Atlanta and Seattle are about the same

Atlanta · Uninsured rate

9.7%

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Atlanta is 4.5% (87%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Atlanta vs Seattle

State income and sales tax.

Atlanta · State income tax

5.5%

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Atlanta is 5.5% higher than Seattle

Atlanta · State sales tax

4.0%

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Seattle is 2.5% (63%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Combined sales tax

7.4%

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Seattle is 2.9% (39%) higher than Atlanta

Transportation in Atlanta vs Seattle

Commute time and travel modes.

Atlanta · Average commute

28.0 min

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Seattle is 0.1 min (0%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Drive alone

58.9%

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Atlanta is 7.1% (14%) higher than Seattle

Atlanta · Public transit

4.4%

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Seattle is 3.6% (82%) higher than Atlanta

Monthly cost estimates in Atlanta vs Seattle

All categories combined.

Atlanta · Single person

$3,980

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Seattle is $608 (15%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Couple

$5,478

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Seattle is $946 (17%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Family

$7,989

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Seattle is $1,451 (18%) higher than Atlanta

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Atlanta and Seattle.

Is Atlanta or Seattle more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,980/mo in Atlanta, Georgia and $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington, a difference of about 15%.

What is the rent difference between Atlanta and Seattle?

Average one-bedroom rent in Atlanta, Georgia is $1,653/mo versus $2,293/mo in Seattle, Washington. Seattle is approximately $640 (39%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Atlanta or Seattle?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Atlanta households earn approximately $91,490 per year; Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year.

More on Atlanta and Seattle

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

Atlanta profile Seattle 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.