Question 1

Is Atlanta or Seattle cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Atlanta, GA is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $404/month less than in Seattle, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,820/mo in Atlanta versus $2,501/mo in Seattle.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Atlanta vs Seattle?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $83,000/year before tax in Atlanta, GA and $86,000/year in Seattle, WA — a difference of about $3,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Atlanta or Seattle cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Atlanta, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $9,218/month in Atlanta and $12,749/month in Seattle, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Atlanta or Seattle?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Atlanta costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Atlanta66	Seattle59
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,387	$4,791
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$9,218	$12,749
Salary for comfort	$83,000/yr	$86,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,820	$2,501
Median home value	$420,600	$912,100
Median household income	$81,938	$121,984
Unemployment	3.7%	4.7%
Housing score	47	34
Jobs score	86	35
Safety score	26	40
Climate score	100	92
Amenities score	68	90
Population	499.3K	741.4K
Summer high / winter low	90° / 33°	76° / 37°

Atlanta, GA vs Seattle, WA