Last update: Oct 2026

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

For one person, living is cheaper in Atlanta, GA: $2,947 a month against $3,442 in Santa Rosa, CA, rent and utilities included – about $5,900 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Santa Rosa, CA outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

143

Cost of Living Index in Atlanta, GA
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Atlanta, GA Living Index
166

Cost of Living Index in Santa Rosa, CA
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Santa Rosa, CA Living Index

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Atlanta, GA

🇺🇸 United States

$2,947

/mo nomad

Santa Rosa, CA

🇺🇸 United States

$3,442

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Atlanta, GA and in Santa Rosa, CA

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 Santa Rosa, CA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,947 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $3,442 in Santa Rosa, CA, rent included.

Atlanta, GA $2,947
Santa Rosa, CA $3,442

A couple spends around $4,321 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $5,030 in Santa Rosa, CA, rent included.

Atlanta, GA $4,321
Santa Rosa, CA $5,030

A family of three spends $5,695 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $6,617 in Santa Rosa, CA, rent included.

Atlanta, GA $5,695
Santa Rosa, CA $6,617

Atlanta, GA is about 14% cheaper than Santa Rosa, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Atlanta, GA and Santa Rosa, CA sit above the global median – Atlanta, GA by 117%, Santa Rosa, CA by 153%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$31.94 $31.94

$27.06 $27.06

18.03%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$113 $113

$90.5 $90.5

24.62%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.15 $12.15

Cappuccino

$5.64 $5.64

$6.60 $6.60

-14.55%

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

$2.89 $2.89

$3.22 $3.22

-10.25%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.17 $2.17

$3.15 $3.15

-31.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.52 $6.52

$7.88 $7.88

-17.26%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.95 $7.95

$8.92 $8.92

-10.87%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.92 $0.92

$1.37 $1.37

-32.85%

White Bread (500g)

$3.44 $3.44

$4.59 $4.59

-25.05%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.74 $3.74

$4.75 $4.75

-21.26%

Eggs

$4.76 $4.76

$5.44 $5.44

-12.50%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.96 $13.96

$22.62 $22.62

-38.28%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$15.25 $15.25

-4.79%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$20.99 $20.99

-6.19%

Apples (1kg)

$5.81 $5.81

$6.10 $6.10

-4.75%

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 $1.44

$2.50 $2.50

-42.40%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.08 $6.08

$6.76 $6.76

-10.06%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.45 $5.45

$6.84 $6.84

-20.32%

Potato (1kg)

$3.67 $3.67

$3.94 $3.94

-6.85%

Onion (1kg)

$2.57 $2.57

$3.48 $3.48

-26.15%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$3.06 $3.06

-25.49%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.75 $2.75

$1.97 $1.97

39.59%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.12 $9.12

$11.74 $11.74

-22.32%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.81 $14.81

$11.85 $11.85

24.98%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.80 $3.80

$2.16 $2.16

75.93%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.10 $5.10

$2.07 $2.07

146.38%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.44 $2.44

$1.53 $1.53

59.48%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$96.4 $96.4

$50.2 $50.2

92.05%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.48 $3.48

$3.93 $3.93

-11.45%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.48 $1.48

$1.95 $1.95

-24.10%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.92 $23.92

$29.43 $29.43

-18.72%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.99 $0.99

$1.49 $1.49

-33.56%

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

$37.0K $37.0K

$27.5K $27.5K

34.66%

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

$26.3K $26.3K

$26.7K $26.7K

-1.69%

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

$219 $219

$196 $196

11.77%

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

$70.6 $70.6

$49.40 $49.40

42.83%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$84.9 $84.9

$71.5 $71.5

18.62%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.53 $30.53

$68.2 $68.2

-55.23%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.12 $16.12

$13.99 $13.99

15.23%

Cinema Ticket

$16.90 $16.90

$14.27 $14.27

18.43%

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

$1,808 $1,808

$1,255 $1,255

44.10%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.4K $22.4K

$40.0K $40.0K

-43.93%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.3 $52.3

$50.5 $50.5

3.56%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.16 $44.16

$36.55 $36.55

20.82%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.2 $98.2

$105 $105

-6.52%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 $108

$127 $127

-14.42%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,981 $1,981

$2,336 $2,336

-15.19%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,369 $1,369

$1,893 $1,893

-27.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,186 $3,186

$3,569 $3,569

-10.73%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,070 $2,070

$3,100 $3,100

-33.23%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,592 $3,592

$5,019 $5,019

-28.44%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,490 $2,490

$4,908 $4,908

-49.28%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,391 $5,391

$4,740 $4,740

13.73%

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 Santa Rosa, CA: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure

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

Accommodation & Living

Atlanta, GA

$1.4K 46.5%

Santa Rosa, CA

$1.9K 55% 38.2% $524

Groceries & Markets

Atlanta, GA

$458 15.5%

Santa Rosa, CA

$507 14.7% 10.9% $50

Eating Out

Atlanta, GA

$428 14.5%

Santa Rosa, CA

$415 12.1% 3.1% $13

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Atlanta, GA

$374 12.7%

Santa Rosa, CA

$317 9.2% 15.4% $58

Clothing & Footwear

Atlanta, GA

$136 4.6%

Santa Rosa, CA

$143 4.2% 5.2% $7.1

Getting Around

Atlanta, GA

$117 4%

Santa Rosa, CA

$70 2% 40.2% $47

Sport & Entertainment

Atlanta, GA

$64 2.2%

Santa Rosa, CA

$97 2.8% 50.3% $32

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,981 in Atlanta, GA versus $2,336 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 14% 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 $113 in Atlanta, GA versus $91 in Santa Rosa, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $458 in Atlanta, GA vs $507 in Santa Rosa, CA – so Atlanta, GA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Atlanta, GA

🇺🇸 Santa Rosa, CA

🕒 Local time

11:12 11:12 AM

08:12 8:12 AM

3 h behind Atlanta, GA

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

510,823

174,972

💱 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 Santa Rosa, CA 3,470 km ≈ 4 h 45 min nonstop flight

From you

Atlanta, GA
Santa Rosa, CA

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

Yes – Santa Rosa, CA is pricier by about 17%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,421 per month in Atlanta, GA and $5,164 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: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,981 there versus $2,336 in Santa Rosa, CA.

Groceries cost about 11% 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 $113 in Atlanta, GA and $91 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 $2,947 in Atlanta, GA and $3,442 in Santa Rosa, CA. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Atlanta, GA costs $2,947 versus $3,442 in Santa Rosa, CA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.