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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,115 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $3,087 in Rockville, MD, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,422 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $4,711 in Rockville, MD, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,730 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $6,336 in Rockville, MD, rent included.

Atlanta, GA costs about 1% more than Rockville, MD, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Atlanta, GA and Rockville, MD sit above the global median – Atlanta, GA by 126%, Rockville, MD by 124%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$29.83 $29.83

$24.16 $24.16

23.47%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$117 $117

$76.7 $76.7

52.54%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.11 $12.11

$10.18 $10.18

18.96%

Cappuccino

$5.44 $5.44

$5.47 $5.47

-0.55%

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

$3.03 $3.03

$2.63 $2.63

15.21%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 $2.04

$1.78 $1.78

14.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.67 $7.67

$6.59 $6.59

16.39%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.81 $7.81

$7.60 $7.60

2.76%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.89 $0.89

$1.14 $1.14

-21.93%

White Bread (500g)

$3.56 $3.56

$2.97 $2.97

19.87%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.66 $3.66

$2.64 $2.64

38.64%

Eggs

$4.75 $4.75

$4.02 $4.02

18.16%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$9.50 $9.50

56.32%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.33 $15.33

$13.85 $13.85

10.69%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$22.13 $22.13

$18.71 $18.71

18.28%

Apples (1kg)

$6.02 $6.02

$5.60 $5.60

7.50%

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 $1.52

$1.31 $1.31

16.03%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.89 $5.89

$5.61 $5.61

4.99%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$4.45 $4.45

19.33%

Potato (1kg)

$3.68 $3.68

$2.83 $2.83

30.04%

Onion (1kg)

$2.73 $2.73

$2.64 $2.64

3.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.17 $2.17

1.38%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.75 $2.75

$1.79 $1.79

53.63%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.49 $8.49

$14.12 $14.12

-39.87%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.26 $15.26

$14.28 $14.28

6.86%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.94 $3.94

$2.46 $2.46

60.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.15 $5.15

$3.69 $3.69

39.57%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.53 $2.53

$3.31 $3.31

-23.56%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$113 $113

$142 $142

-20.57%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.57 $3.57

$5.10 $5.10

-30.00%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.45 $1.45

$1.12 $1.12

29.46%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.32 $24.32

$23.10 $23.10

5.28%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.00 $1.00

$1.03 $1.03

-2.91%

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

$37.2K $37.2K

$34.4K $34.4K

8.22%

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

$26.5K $26.5K

$25.0K $25.0K

5.98%

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

$193 $193

$297 $297

-34.96%

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

$69.7 $69.7

$49.90 $49.90

39.76%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$83.8 $83.8

$60.2 $60.2

39.13%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.53 $31.53

$42.52 $42.52

-25.85%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.23 $16.23

$12.59 $12.59

28.91%

Cinema Ticket

$17.16 $17.16

$16.30 $16.30

5.28%

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

$1,878 $1,878

$1,887 $1,887

-0.46%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.9K $22.9K

$28.2K $28.2K

-18.86%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.2 $52.2

$46.38 $46.38

12.63%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.39 $45.39

$40.55 $40.55

11.94%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.6 $96.6

$88.6 $88.6

8.98%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$105 $105

$130 $130

-18.71%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,091 $2,091

$2,090 $2,090

0.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,497 $1,497

$1,553 $1,553

-3.62%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,552 $3,552

$3,807 $3,807

-6.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,191 $2,191

$2,893 $2,893

-24.28%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,884 $3,884

$4,315 $4,315

-9.98%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,614 $2,614

$2,456 $2,456

6.41%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,305 $5,305

$6,208 $6,208

-14.55%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.18

6.03

2.49%

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

Last update for Atlanta, GA: September 6, 2026

Last update for Rockville, MD: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,091 in Atlanta, GA versus $2,090 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 17% higher in Rockville, MD, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $117 in Atlanta, GA versus $77.0 in Rockville, MD. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $474 vs $394 – making Rockville, MD the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 – Atlanta, GA is pricier by about 1%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,672 per month in Atlanta, GA and $4,631 in Rockville, MD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Rockville, MD, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 20% more in Atlanta, GA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $117 in Atlanta, GA and $77.0 in Rockville, MD. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,115 in Atlanta, GA and $3,087 in Rockville, MD. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Rockville, MD – 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 Rockville, MD. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Atlanta, GA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.