Skip to main content
LiveWhere us
Side-by-side comparison

Atlanta vs Los Angeles

Cost of living comparison for Atlanta, Georgia and Los Angeles, California.

Bottom line

Los Angeles is approximately 4% more expensive than Atlanta. A single person needs about $4,135/mo in Los Angeles versus $3,980/mo in Atlanta.

Rent in Atlanta vs Los Angeles

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Atlanta · Studio
$1,591
Los Angeles · Studio
$1,856
Los Angeles is $265 (17%) higher than Atlanta
Atlanta · 1 bedroom
$1,653
Los Angeles · 1 bedroom
$2,081
Los Angeles is $428 (26%) higher than Atlanta
Atlanta · 2 bedroom
$1,830
Los Angeles · 2 bedroom
$2,625
Los Angeles is $795 (43%) higher than Atlanta
Atlanta · 3 bedroom
$2,205
Los Angeles · 3 bedroom
$3,335
Los Angeles is $1,130 (51%) higher than Atlanta

Income & earnings in Atlanta vs Los Angeles

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Atlanta · Household income
$91,490
Los Angeles · Household income
$87,760
Atlanta is $3,730 (4%) higher than Los Angeles
Atlanta · Individual earnings
$56,269
Los Angeles · Individual earnings
$43,477
Atlanta is $12,792 (29%) higher than Los Angeles
Atlanta · Per capita
$61,438
Los Angeles · Per capita
$44,319
Atlanta is $17,119 (39%) higher than Los Angeles

Home values in Atlanta vs Los Angeles

Average values and property tax.

Atlanta · Average home value
$431,200
Los Angeles · Average home value
$783,300
Los Angeles is $352,100 (82%) higher than Atlanta
Atlanta · Annual property tax
$3,847
Los Angeles · Annual property tax
$5,438
Los Angeles is $1,591 (41%) higher than Atlanta

Energy in Atlanta vs Los Angeles

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Atlanta · Monthly electricity
$163
Los Angeles · Monthly electricity
$167
Los Angeles is $4 (2%) higher than Atlanta
Atlanta · Monthly gas
$42
Los Angeles · Monthly gas
$50
Los Angeles is $8 (19%) higher than Atlanta
Atlanta · Annual total
$2,460
Los Angeles · Annual total
$2,604
Los Angeles is $144 (6%) higher than Atlanta

Healthcare in Atlanta vs Los Angeles

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Atlanta · Individual premium
$480
Los Angeles · Individual premium
$480
Atlanta and Los Angeles are about the same
Atlanta · Family premium
$1,350
Los Angeles · Family premium
$1,350
Atlanta and Los Angeles are about the same
Atlanta · Uninsured rate
9.7%
Los Angeles · Uninsured rate
8.7%
Atlanta is 1.0% (11%) higher than Los Angeles

Taxes in Atlanta vs Los Angeles

State income and sales tax.

Atlanta · State income tax
5.5%
Los Angeles · State income tax
13.3%
Los Angeles is 7.8% (142%) higher than Atlanta
Atlanta · State sales tax
4.0%
Los Angeles · State sales tax
7.3%
Los Angeles is 3.3% (81%) higher than Atlanta
Atlanta · Combined sales tax
7.4%
Los Angeles · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Los Angeles is 1.5% (20%) higher than Atlanta

Transportation in Atlanta vs Los Angeles

Commute time and travel modes.

Atlanta · Average commute
28.0 min
Los Angeles · Average commute
30.8 min
Los Angeles is 2.8 min (10%) higher than Atlanta
Atlanta · Drive alone
58.9%
Los Angeles · Drive alone
66.4%
Los Angeles is 7.5% (13%) higher than Atlanta
Atlanta · Public transit
4.4%
Los Angeles · Public transit
4.2%
Atlanta is 0.2% (5%) higher than Los Angeles

Monthly cost estimates in Atlanta vs Los Angeles

All categories combined.

Atlanta · Single person
$3,980
Los Angeles · Single person
$4,135
Los Angeles is $155 (4%) higher than Atlanta
Atlanta · Couple
$5,478
Los Angeles · Couple
$6,334
Los Angeles is $856 (16%) higher than Atlanta
Atlanta · Family
$7,989
Los Angeles · Family
$9,251
Los Angeles is $1,262 (16%) higher than Atlanta

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Is Atlanta or Los Angeles more expensive?

Los Angeles is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,980/mo in Atlanta, Georgia and $4,135/mo in Los Angeles, California, a difference of about 4%.

What is the rent difference between Atlanta and Los Angeles?

Average one-bedroom rent in Atlanta, Georgia is $1,653/mo versus $2,081/mo in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles is approximately $428 (26%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Atlanta or Los Angeles?

Atlanta has the higher average household income. Atlanta households earn approximately $91,490 per year; Los Angeles households earn approximately $87,760 per year.

More on Atlanta and Los Angeles

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

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.