Cost of Living Comparison Between Atlanta, GA and Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Atlanta, GA and Santa Rosa, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,991 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $3,361 in Santa Rosa, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,251 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $5,005 in Santa Rosa, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,512 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $6,649 in Santa Rosa, CA, rent included.

Atlanta, GA is about 11% cheaper than Santa Rosa, CA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Atlanta, GA and Santa Rosa, CA sit above the global median – Atlanta, GA by 123%, Santa Rosa, CA by 151%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.90 $20.90

$22.61 $22.61

-7.56%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$90.3 $90.3

$81.0 $81.0

11.55%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$11.81 $11.81

0.42%

Cappuccino

$5.03 $5.03

$4.92 $4.92

2.24%

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

$2.62 $2.62

$2.99 $2.99

-12.37%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.29 $2.29

$2.90 $2.90

-21.03%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.94 $5.94

$7.48 $7.48

-20.59%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.05 $8.05

$8.40 $8.40

-4.17%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.99 $0.99

$1.16 $1.16

-14.66%

White Bread (500g)

$3.81 $3.81

$4.85 $4.85

-21.44%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.45 $5.45

$4.41 $4.41

23.58%

Eggs

$4.06 $4.06

$5.45 $5.45

-25.50%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.35 $13.35

$16.30 $16.30

-18.10%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.87 $15.87

$11.16 $11.16

42.20%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.05 $17.05

$20.02 $20.02

-14.84%

Apples (1kg)

$7.22 $7.22

$7.74 $7.74

-6.72%

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 $1.51

$2.90 $2.90

-47.93%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.82 $6.82

$7.97 $7.97

-14.43%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.87 $5.87

$8.43 $8.43

-30.37%

Potato (1kg)

$3.29 $3.29

$3.92 $3.92

-16.07%

Onion (1kg)

$3.29 $3.29

$3.95 $3.95

-16.71%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$3.04 $3.04

-17.11%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.05 $3.05

$2.02 $2.02

50.99%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.28 $7.28

$11.85 $11.85

-38.57%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.14 $15.14

$11.91 $11.91

27.12%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.55 $3.55

$1.81 $1.81

96.13%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.49 $5.49

$2.66 $2.66

106.39%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.80 $2.80

-11.79%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$93.5 $93.5

$29.41 $29.41

218.06%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.41 $3.41

$4.12 $4.12

-17.23%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.51 $1.51

$1.95 $1.95

-22.56%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.99 $23.99

$28.83 $28.83

-16.79%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$1.29 $1.29

-32.56%

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

$35.8K $35.8K

$34.1K $34.1K

5.12%

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

$25.8K $25.8K

$27.8K $27.8K

-7.18%

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

$196 $196

$248 $248

-20.87%

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

$56.4 $56.4

$50.1 $50.1

12.43%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.5 $73.5

$75.2 $75.2

-2.30%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.78 $45.78

$64.2 $64.2

-28.70%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.84 $9.84

$14.80 $14.80

-33.51%

Cinema Ticket

$16.14 $16.14

$13.95 $13.95

15.70%

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

$1,246 $1,246

$1,878 $1,878

-33.67%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.8K $25.8K

$39.4K $39.4K

-34.42%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.7 $51.7

$57.6 $57.6

-10.18%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.72 $39.72

$42.66 $42.66

-6.89%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.9 $98.9

$111 $111

-11.13%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 $112

$127 $127

-11.60%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,790 $1,790

$2,257 $2,257

-20.72%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,500 $1,500

$1,863 $1,863

-19.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,094 $3,094

$3,715 $3,715

-16.70%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,311 $2,311

$3,147 $3,147

-26.57%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,821 $3,821

$4,611 $4,611

-17.14%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,660 $2,660

$4,730 $4,730

-43.76%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,346 $5,346

$4,613 $4,613

15.90%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.54

6.52

0.31%

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

Last update for Atlanta, GA: May 30, 2026

Last update for Santa Rosa, CA: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,790 in Atlanta, GA versus $2,257 in Santa Rosa, CA. 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 16% higher in Atlanta, GA, 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 $90.0 in Atlanta, GA versus $81.0 in Santa Rosa, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $481 in Atlanta, GA vs $489 in Santa Rosa, CA – so Atlanta, GA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Santa Rosa, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Santa Rosa, CA is pricier by about 12%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,486 per month in Atlanta, GA and $5,041 in Santa Rosa, CA. 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. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 2% more in Santa Rosa, CA, 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 $90.0 in Atlanta, GA and $81.0 in Santa Rosa, CA. 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 $2,991 in Atlanta, GA and $3,361 in Santa Rosa, CA. 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, Santa Rosa, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.