Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Atlanta, GA and Rockville, MD

For one person, living is cheaper in Atlanta, GA: $2,947 a month against $3,247 in Rockville, MD, rent and utilities included – about $3,600 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Rockville, MD outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

143

Cost of Living Index in Atlanta, GA
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Atlanta, GA Living Index
157

Cost of Living Index in Rockville, MD
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Rockville, MD Living Index

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Atlanta, GA

🇺🇸 United States

$2,947

/mo nomad

Rockville, MD

🇺🇸 United States

$3,247

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Atlanta, GA and in Rockville, MD

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 Rockville, MD actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,947 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $3,247 in Rockville, MD, rent included.

Atlanta, GA $2,947
Rockville, MD $3,247

A couple spends around $4,321 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $4,701 in Rockville, MD, rent included.

Atlanta, GA $4,321
Rockville, MD $4,701

A family of three spends $5,695 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $6,154 in Rockville, MD, rent included.

Atlanta, GA $5,695
Rockville, MD $6,154

Atlanta, GA is about 9% cheaper than Rockville, MD, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Atlanta, GA and Rockville, MD sit above the global median – Atlanta, GA by 117%, Rockville, MD by 139%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$31.94 $31.94

$22.62 $22.62

41.20%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$113 $113

$74.7 $74.7

51.09%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.15 $12.15

$10.19 $10.19

19.23%

Cappuccino

$5.64 $5.64

$5.31 $5.31

6.21%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.89 $2.89

$2.42 $2.42

19.42%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.17 $2.17

$1.77 $1.77

22.60%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.52 $6.52

$6.63 $6.63

-1.66%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.95 $7.95

$7.47 $7.47

6.43%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.92 $0.92

$1.13 $1.13

-18.58%

White Bread (500g)

$3.44 $3.44

$2.98 $2.98

15.44%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.74 $3.74

$2.66 $2.66

40.60%

Eggs

$4.76 $4.76

$3.81 $3.81

24.93%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.96 $13.96

$9.75 $9.75

43.18%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$9.32 $9.32

55.79%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$18.29 $18.29

7.65%

Apples (1kg)

$5.81 $5.81

$4.74 $4.74

22.57%

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 $1.44

$1.27 $1.27

13.39%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.08 $6.08

$4.38 $4.38

38.81%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.45 $5.45

$3.87 $3.87

40.83%

Potato (1kg)

$3.67 $3.67

$2.60 $2.60

41.15%

Onion (1kg)

$2.57 $2.57

$2.46 $2.46

4.47%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.59 $2.59

-11.97%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.75 $2.75

$1.80 $1.80

52.78%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.12 $9.12

$14.00 $14.00

-34.86%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.81 $14.81

$14.48 $14.48

2.28%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.80 $3.80

$2.41 $2.41

57.68%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.10 $5.10

$3.76 $3.76

35.64%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.44 $2.44

$3.16 $3.16

-22.78%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$96.4 $96.4

$110 $110

-12.43%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.48 $3.48

$5.05 $5.05

-31.09%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.48 $1.48

$1.11 $1.11

33.33%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.92 $23.92

$23.29 $23.29

2.71%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.99 $0.99

$1.07 $1.07

-7.48%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$37.0K $37.0K

$34.3K $34.3K

8.07%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.3K $26.3K

-0.19%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$219 $219

$297 $297

-26.40%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$70.6 $70.6

$50.7 $50.7

39.23%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$84.9 $84.9

$60.6 $60.6

39.99%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.53 $30.53

$42.82 $42.82

-28.70%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.12 $16.12

$12.46 $12.46

29.37%

Cinema Ticket

$16.90 $16.90

$16.64 $16.64

1.56%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,808 $1,808

$1,934 $1,934

-6.51%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.4K $22.4K

$27.7K $27.7K

-18.89%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.3 $52.3

$46.01 $46.01

13.67%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.16 $44.16

$39.71 $39.71

11.21%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.2 $98.2

$88.5 $88.5

11.00%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 $108

$133 $133

-18.23%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,981 $1,981

$2,213 $2,213

-10.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,369 $1,369

$1,791 $1,791

-23.55%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,186 $3,186

$3,763 $3,763

-15.35%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,070 $2,070

$3,061 $3,061

-32.38%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,592 $3,592

$4,172 $4,172

-13.91%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,490 $2,490

$2,976 $2,976

-16.35%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,391 $5,391

$6,378 $6,378

-15.48%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.46

0.77%

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

Last update for Atlanta, GA: October 25, 2026

Last update for Rockville, MD: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Atlanta, GA

$1.4K 46.5%

Rockville, MD

$1.8K 55.2% 30.8% $422

Groceries & Markets

Atlanta, GA

$458 15.5%

Rockville, MD

$359 11.1% 21.5% $98

Eating Out

Atlanta, GA

$428 14.5%

Rockville, MD

$340 10.5% 20.6% $88

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Atlanta, GA

$374 12.7%

Rockville, MD

$409 12.6% 9.2% $34

Clothing & Footwear

Atlanta, GA

$136 4.6%

Rockville, MD

$138 4.3% 1.2% $1.7

Getting Around

Atlanta, GA

$117 4%

Rockville, MD

$133 4.1% 13.9% $16

Sport & Entertainment

Atlanta, GA

$64 2.2%

Rockville, MD

$76 2.3% 18.3% $12

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,981 in Atlanta, GA versus $2,213 in Rockville, MD. 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 18% higher in Rockville, MD. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $113 in Atlanta, GA versus $75 in Rockville, MD. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $458 vs $359 – making Rockville, MD the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Atlanta, GA

🇺🇸 Rockville, MD

🕒 Local time

06:08 6:08 AM

Same time as Atlanta, GA

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

510,823

67,139

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.899 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Highest

Between locations

Atlanta, GA Rockville, MD 830 km ≈ 1 h 30 min nonstop flight

From you

Atlanta, GA
Rockville, MD

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 Rockville, MD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Rockville, MD is pricier by about 10%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in transport.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,421 per month in Atlanta, GA and $4,870 in Rockville, MD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Atlanta, GA, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,981 there versus $2,213 in Rockville, MD.

Interestingly, groceries are about 22% cheaper in Rockville, MD – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $113 in Atlanta, GA and $75 in Rockville, MD. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,947 in Atlanta, GA and $3,247 in Rockville, MD. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Atlanta, GA – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Atlanta, GA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Rockville, MD makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.