Cost of Living Comparison Between Atlanta, GA and Tacoma, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Atlanta, GA and Tacoma, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,991 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $3,250 in Tacoma, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,251 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $4,578 in Tacoma, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,512 per month in Atlanta, GA vs $5,906 in Tacoma, WA, rent included.

Atlanta, GA is about 8% cheaper than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Atlanta, GA and Tacoma, WA sit above the global median – Atlanta, GA by 123%, Tacoma, WA by 143%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.90 $20.90

$16.41 $16.41

27.36%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$90.3 $90.3

$71.4 $71.4

26.50%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.60 $12.60

-5.87%

Cappuccino

$5.03 $5.03

$6.15 $6.15

-18.21%

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

$2.62 $2.62

$2.86 $2.86

-8.39%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.29 $2.29

$2.28 $2.28

0.44%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.94 $5.94

$7.68 $7.68

-22.66%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.05 $8.05

$11.79 $11.79

-31.72%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.99 $0.99

$1.10 $1.10

-10.00%

White Bread (500g)

$3.81 $3.81

$4.19 $4.19

-9.07%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.45 $5.45

$8.38 $8.38

-34.96%

Eggs

$4.06 $4.06

$4.94 $4.94

-17.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.35 $13.35

$11.50 $11.50

16.09%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.87 $15.87

$16.35 $16.35

-2.94%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.05 $17.05

$19.27 $19.27

-11.52%

Apples (1kg)

$7.22 $7.22

$5.28 $5.28

36.74%

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 $1.51

$1.66 $1.66

-9.04%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.82 $6.82

$5.12 $5.12

33.20%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.87 $5.87

$4.96 $4.96

18.35%

Potato (1kg)

$3.29 $3.29

$3.27 $3.27

0.61%

Onion (1kg)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.74 $2.74

20.07%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.93 $1.93

30.57%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.05 $3.05

$3.02 $3.02

0.99%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.28 $7.28

$11.07 $11.07

-34.24%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.14 $15.14

$18.19 $18.19

-16.77%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.55 $3.55

$1.78 $1.78

99.44%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.49 $5.49

$6.57 $6.57

-16.44%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.43 $2.43

1.65%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$93.5 $93.5

$62.3 $62.3

50.12%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.41 $3.41

$2.56 $2.56

33.20%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.51 $1.51

$1.66 $1.66

-9.04%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.99 $23.99

$29.97 $29.97

-19.95%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$1.20 $1.20

-27.50%

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

$35.8K $35.8K

$37.2K $37.2K

-3.84%

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

$25.8K $25.8K

$27.4K $27.4K

-6.01%

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

$196 $196

$229 $229

-14.05%

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

$56.4 $56.4

$71.6 $71.6

-21.25%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.5 $73.5

$88.8 $88.8

-17.23%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.78 $45.78

$51.0 $51.0

-10.15%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.84 $9.84

$15.22 $15.22

-35.35%

Cinema Ticket

$16.14 $16.14

$15.67 $15.67

3.00%

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

$1,246 $1,246

$2,072 $2,072

-39.89%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.8K $25.8K

$31.6K $31.6K

-18.20%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.7 $51.7

$59.2 $59.2

-12.68%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.72 $39.72

$45.10 $45.10

-11.93%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.9 $98.9

$86.6 $86.6

14.19%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 $112

$135 $135

-17.35%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,790 $1,790

$1,940 $1,940

-7.75%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,500 $1,500

$1,752 $1,752

-14.38%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,094 $3,094

$3,082 $3,082

0.39%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,311 $2,311

$2,812 $2,812

-17.82%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,821 $3,821

$4,885 $4,885

-21.78%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,660 $2,660

$3,558 $3,558

-25.24%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,346 $5,346

$4,853 $4,853

10.17%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.54

6.51

0.46%

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

Last update for Atlanta, GA: May 30, 2026

Last update for Tacoma, WA: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,790 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,940 in Tacoma, WA. 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 10% 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 $71.0 in Tacoma, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $481 vs $480 – making Tacoma, WA 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 Tacoma, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Tacoma, WA is pricier by about 9%, 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 $4,875 in Tacoma, WA. 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.

Interestingly, groceries are about 0% cheaper in Tacoma, WA – 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 $90.0 in Atlanta, GA and $71.0 in Tacoma, WA. 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 $3,250 in Tacoma, WA. 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, Tacoma, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.