Side-by-side comparison

Atlanta vs Raleigh

Cost of living comparison for Atlanta, Georgia and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Atlanta is approximately 4% more expensive than Raleigh. A single person needs about $3,980/mo in Atlanta versus $3,827/mo in Raleigh.

Rent in Atlanta vs Raleigh

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Atlanta · Studio

$1,591

Raleigh · Studio

$1,533

Atlanta is $58 (4%) higher than Raleigh

Atlanta · 1 bedroom

$1,653

Raleigh · 1 bedroom

$1,592

Atlanta is $61 (4%) higher than Raleigh

Atlanta · 2 bedroom

$1,830

Raleigh · 2 bedroom

$1,763

Atlanta is $67 (4%) higher than Raleigh

Atlanta · 3 bedroom

$2,205

Raleigh · 3 bedroom

$2,192

Atlanta is $13 (1%) higher than Raleigh

Income & earnings in Atlanta vs Raleigh

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Atlanta · Household income

$91,490

Raleigh · Household income

$101,763

Raleigh is $10,273 (11%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Individual earnings

$56,269

Raleigh · Individual earnings

$54,712

Atlanta is $1,557 (3%) higher than Raleigh

Atlanta · Per capita

$61,438

Raleigh · Per capita

$52,949

Atlanta is $8,489 (16%) higher than Raleigh

Home values in Atlanta vs Raleigh

Average values and property tax.

Atlanta · Average home value

$431,200

Raleigh · Average home value

$422,800

Atlanta is $8,400 (2%) higher than Raleigh

Atlanta · Annual property tax

$3,847

Raleigh · Annual property tax

$3,023

Atlanta is $824 (27%) higher than Raleigh

Energy in Atlanta vs Raleigh

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Atlanta · Monthly electricity

$163

Raleigh · Monthly electricity

$147

Atlanta is $16 (11%) higher than Raleigh

Atlanta · Monthly gas

$42

Raleigh · Monthly gas

$40

Atlanta is $2 (5%) higher than Raleigh

Atlanta · Annual total

$2,460

Raleigh · Annual total

$2,244

Atlanta is $216 (10%) higher than Raleigh

Healthcare in Atlanta vs Raleigh

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Atlanta · Individual premium

$480

Raleigh · Individual premium

$480

Atlanta and Raleigh are about the same

Atlanta · Family premium

$1,350

Raleigh · Family premium

$1,350

Atlanta and Raleigh are about the same

Atlanta · Uninsured rate

9.7%

Raleigh · Uninsured rate

8.2%

Atlanta is 1.5% (18%) higher than Raleigh

Taxes in Atlanta vs Raleigh

State income and sales tax.

Atlanta · State income tax

5.5%

Raleigh · State income tax

4.5%

Atlanta is 1.0% (22%) higher than Raleigh

Atlanta · State sales tax

4.0%

Raleigh · State sales tax

4.8%

Raleigh is 0.8% (19%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Combined sales tax

7.4%

Raleigh · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Atlanta is 0.4% (5%) higher than Raleigh

Transportation in Atlanta vs Raleigh

Commute time and travel modes.

Atlanta · Average commute

28.0 min

Raleigh · Average commute

25.3 min

Atlanta is 2.7 min (11%) higher than Raleigh

Atlanta · Drive alone

58.9%

Raleigh · Drive alone

64.4%

Raleigh is 5.5% (9%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Public transit

4.4%

Raleigh · Public transit

0.7%

Atlanta is 3.7% (529%) higher than Raleigh

Monthly cost estimates in Atlanta vs Raleigh

All categories combined.

Atlanta · Single person

$3,980

Raleigh · Single person

$3,827

Atlanta is $153 (4%) higher than Raleigh

Atlanta · Couple

$5,478

Raleigh · Couple

$5,526

Raleigh is $48 (1%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Family

$7,989

Raleigh · Family

$8,087

Raleigh is $98 (1%) higher than Atlanta

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Atlanta and Raleigh.

Is Atlanta or Raleigh more expensive?

Atlanta is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,980/mo in Atlanta, Georgia and $3,827/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina, a difference of about 4%.

What is the rent difference between Atlanta and Raleigh?

Average one-bedroom rent in Atlanta, Georgia is $1,653/mo versus $1,592/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina. Atlanta is approximately $61 (4%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Atlanta or Raleigh?

Raleigh has the higher average household income. Atlanta households earn approximately $91,490 per year; Raleigh households earn approximately $101,763 per year.

More on Atlanta and Raleigh

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

Atlanta profile Raleigh 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.