Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Atlanta, GA and Greenville, SC

For one person, living is cheaper in Greenville, SC: $2,542 a month against $2,947 in Atlanta, GA, rent and utilities included – about $4,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Atlanta, GA, United States
Greenville, SC, United States
Atlanta, GA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,947
/mo nomad
Greenville, SC
🇺🇸 United States
$2,542
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Atlanta, GA and in Greenville, SC

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Atlanta, GA and in Greenville, SC actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,947 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $2,542 in Greenville, SC, rent included.

  • Atlanta, GA $2,947
  • Greenville, SC $2,542

A couple spends around $4,321 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $3,831 in Greenville, SC, rent included.

  • Atlanta, GA $4,321
  • Greenville, SC $3,831

A family of three spends $5,695 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $5,120 in Greenville, SC, rent included.

  • Atlanta, GA $5,695
  • Greenville, SC $5,120

Atlanta, GA costs about 16% more than Greenville, SC, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Atlanta, GA and Greenville, SC sit above the global median – Atlanta, GA by 117%, Greenville, SC by 87%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Atlanta, GA
Greenville, SC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$31.94 $31.94
$18.15 $18.15
75.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$113 $113
$97.5 $97.5
15.65%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.15 $12.15
$10.85 $10.85
11.98%
Cappuccino
$5.64 $5.64
$5.51 $5.51
2.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.89 $2.89
$3.03 $3.03
-4.62%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 $2.17
$1.99 $1.99
9.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.52 $6.52
$5.98 $5.98
9.03%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.95 $7.95
$7.66 $7.66
3.79%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Atlanta, GA
Greenville, SC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.92 $0.92
$0.95 $0.95
-3.16%
White Bread (500g)
$3.44 $3.44
$3.74 $3.74
-8.02%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.74 $3.74
$4.77 $4.77
-21.59%
Eggs
$4.76 $4.76
$3.89 $3.89
22.37%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.96 $13.96
$15.31 $15.31
-8.82%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.52 $14.52
$13.05 $13.05
11.26%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.69 $19.69
$19.89 $19.89
-1.01%
Apples (1kg)
$5.81 $5.81
$6.75 $6.75
-13.93%
Banana (1kg)
$1.44 $1.44
$1.51 $1.51
-4.64%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.08 $6.08
$7.54 $7.54
-19.36%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.45 $5.45
$5.70 $5.70
-4.39%
Potato (1kg)
$3.67 $3.67
$4.75 $4.75
-22.74%
Onion (1kg)
$2.57 $2.57
$4.22 $4.22
-39.10%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.28 $2.28
$2.78 $2.78
-17.99%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.75 $2.75
$2.04 $2.04
34.80%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.12 $9.12
$8.53 $8.53
6.92%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.81 $14.81
$15.19 $15.19
-2.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.80 $3.80
$1.61 $1.61
136.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.10 $5.10
$1.72 $1.72
196.51%
🚌 Getting Around
Atlanta, GA
Greenville, SC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.44 $2.44
$1.49 $1.49
63.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$96.4 $96.4
$49.06 $49.06
96.51%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.48 $3.48
$3.54 $3.54
-1.69%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.48 $1.48
$1.47 $1.47
0.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$23.92 $23.92
$17.96 $17.96
33.18%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.99 $0.99
$0.89 $0.89
11.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.0K $37.0K
$25.9K $25.9K
42.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$25.5K $25.5K
3.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Atlanta, GA
Greenville, SC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$219 $219
$147 $147
48.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$70.6 $70.6
$70.8 $70.8
-0.27%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$84.9 $84.9
$60.7 $60.7
39.90%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Atlanta, GA
Greenville, SC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.53 $30.53
$64.5 $64.5
-52.70%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.12 $16.12
$14.22 $14.22
13.36%
Cinema Ticket
$16.90 $16.90
$14.77 $14.77
14.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Atlanta, GA
Greenville, SC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,808 $1,808
$1,674 $1,674
7.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$10.2K $10.2K
120.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Atlanta, GA
Greenville, SC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.3 $52.3
$52.1 $52.1
0.44%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.16 $44.16
$36.36 $36.36
21.45%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$98.2 $98.2
$88.4 $88.4
11.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108 $108
$133 $133
-18.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Atlanta, GA
Greenville, SC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,981 $1,981
$1,712 $1,712
15.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,369 $1,369
$1,201 $1,201
14.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,186 $3,186
$2,632 $2,632
21.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,070 $2,070
$1,960 $1,960
5.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,592 $3,592
$3,250 $3,250
10.50%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$2,031 $2,031
22.56%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Atlanta, GA
Greenville, SC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,391 $5,391
$4,490 $4,490
20.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
6.72
-3.12%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Atlanta, GA: October 25, 2026

Last update for Greenville, SC: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Atlanta, GA
$1.4K
Greenville, SC
$1.2K 12.3% $168
Groceries & Markets
Atlanta, GA
$458
Greenville, SC
$454 0.8% $3.5
Eating Out
Atlanta, GA
$428
Greenville, SC
$309 27.8% $119
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Atlanta, GA
$374
Greenville, SC
$279 25.5% $96
Clothing & Footwear
Atlanta, GA
$136
Greenville, SC
$139 2.2% $3
Getting Around
Atlanta, GA
$117
Greenville, SC
$66 43.7% $51
Sport & Entertainment
Atlanta, GA
$64
Greenville, SC
$94 46.2% $30

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,981 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,712 in Greenville, SC. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 20% higher in Atlanta, GA. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $113 in Atlanta, GA versus $98 in Greenville, SC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $458 vs $454 – making Greenville, SC the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Atlanta, GA
🇺🇸 Greenville, SC
🕒 Local time
15:48 3:48 PM
15:48 3:48 PM
Same time as Atlanta, GA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
510,823
70,720
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.898 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Atlanta, GA Greenville, SC 180 km
From you
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Greenville, SC

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Atlanta, GA vs Greenville, SC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Greenville, SC cheaper than Atlanta, GA?
Yes – Atlanta, GA is pricier by about 16%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,421 per month in Atlanta, GA and $3,813 in Greenville, SC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Greenville, SC, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,712 there versus $1,981 in Atlanta, GA.
What are total monthly expenses in Atlanta, GA and in Greenville, SC?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,947 in Atlanta, GA and $2,542 in Greenville, SC. That makes Greenville, SC about 14% cheaper.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $1,808 per month in Atlanta, GA and $1,674 in Greenville, SC. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $2,500 enough to cover costs in Atlanta, GA or in Greenville, SC?
$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,947 in Atlanta, GA and $2,542 in Greenville, SC. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Is Atlanta, GA or Greenville, SC more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Greenville, SC – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Greenville, SC. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Atlanta, GA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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