Last update: Oct 2026

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

For one person, living costs are similar in Tacoma, WA and in Atlanta, GA: $3,015 and $3,015 a month, rent and utilities included.

Tacoma, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,015
/mo nomad
Atlanta, GA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,015
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Tacoma, WA and in Atlanta, GA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Tacoma, WA and in Atlanta, GA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,015 per month in Tacoma, WA vs $3,015 in Atlanta, GA, rent included.

  • Tacoma, WA $3,015
  • Atlanta, GA $3,015

A couple spends around $4,420 per month in Tacoma, WA vs $4,360 in Atlanta, GA, rent included.

  • Tacoma, WA $4,420
  • Atlanta, GA $4,360

A family of three spends $5,826 per month in Tacoma, WA vs $5,706 in Atlanta, GA, rent included.

  • Tacoma, WA $5,826
  • Atlanta, GA $5,706

Tacoma, WA and Atlanta, GA have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

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

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tacoma, WA
Atlanta, GA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$24.63 $24.63
$30.30 $30.30
-18.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.4 $79.4
$109 $109
-27.23%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.21 $12.21
$11.93 $11.93
2.35%
Cappuccino
$5.78 $5.78
$5.63 $5.63
2.66%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.12 $3.12
$2.65 $2.65
17.74%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61 $2.61
$2.03 $2.03
28.57%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.90 $6.90
$7.10 $7.10
-2.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.15 $7.15
$7.91 $7.91
-9.61%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tacoma, WA
Atlanta, GA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$0.83 $0.83
31.33%
White Bread (500g)
$4.18 $4.18
$3.36 $3.36
24.40%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.97 $5.97
$3.63 $3.63
64.46%
Eggs
$5.65 $5.65
$4.81 $4.81
17.46%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.02 $16.02
$13.64 $13.64
17.45%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.97 $15.97
$14.69 $14.69
8.71%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$23.20 $23.20
$19.15 $19.15
21.15%
Apples (1kg)
$5.16 $5.16
$5.90 $5.90
-12.54%
Banana (1kg)
$1.76 $1.76
$1.46 $1.46
20.55%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.16 $4.16
$6.17 $6.17
-32.58%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.69 $4.69
$5.40 $5.40
-13.15%
Potato (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$3.68 $3.68
-25.54%
Onion (1kg)
$2.96 $2.96
$2.60 $2.60
13.85%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.75 $1.75
$2.17 $2.17
-19.35%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.27 $3.27
$2.82 $2.82
15.96%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.92 $11.92
$8.23 $8.23
44.84%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.45 $18.45
$14.87 $14.87
24.08%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.77 $1.77
$3.75 $3.75
-52.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.80 $4.80
$5.16 $5.16
-6.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Tacoma, WA
Atlanta, GA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.97 $1.97
$2.48 $2.48
-20.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$62.2 $62.2
$97.1 $97.1
-35.95%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.58 $2.58
$3.60 $3.60
-28.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.64 $1.64
$1.45 $1.45
13.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.52 $30.52
$24.20 $24.20
26.12%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.39 $1.39
$1.05 $1.05
32.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.6K $36.6K
$36.4K $36.4K
0.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.8K $27.8K
$26.4K $26.4K
5.19%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tacoma, WA
Atlanta, GA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$231 $231
$216 $216
7.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$93.0 $93.0
$69.3 $69.3
34.19%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$85.6 $85.6
$82.7 $82.7
3.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tacoma, WA
Atlanta, GA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.69 $42.69
$30.55 $30.55
39.74%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.68 $18.68
$15.73 $15.73
18.75%
Cinema Ticket
$17.26 $17.26
$17.28 $17.28
-0.12%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tacoma, WA
Atlanta, GA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,097 $2,097
$1,848 $1,848
13.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$32.4K $32.4K
$22.3K $22.3K
45.35%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tacoma, WA
Atlanta, GA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.9 $60.9
$52.5 $52.5
16.11%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.05 $45.05
$45.51 $45.51
-1.01%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.8 $85.8
$99.0 $99.0
-13.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$127 $127
$107 $107
18.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tacoma, WA
Atlanta, GA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,722 $1,722
$2,075 $2,075
-16.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,440 $1,440
$1,456 $1,456
-1.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,789 $2,789
$3,354 $3,354
-16.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,387 $2,387
$2,138 $2,138
11.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,895 $4,895
$3,904 $3,904
25.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,574 $3,574
$2,616 $2,616
36.61%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tacoma, WA
Atlanta, GA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,846 $4,846
$5,158 $5,158
-6.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.64
6.54
1.53%

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

Last update for Tacoma, WA: October 11, 2026

Last update for Atlanta, GA: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Tacoma, WA
$1.4K
Atlanta, GA
$1.5K 1.1% $16
Groceries & Markets
Tacoma, WA
$489
Atlanta, GA
$455 6.9% $34
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tacoma, WA
$410
Atlanta, GA
$368 10.3% $42
Eating Out
Tacoma, WA
$375
Atlanta, GA
$416 11% $41
Clothing & Footwear
Tacoma, WA
$143
Atlanta, GA
$137 4.4% $6.4
Getting Around
Tacoma, WA
$81
Atlanta, GA
$118 45.7% $37
Sport & Entertainment
Tacoma, WA
$77
Atlanta, GA
$65 15.7% $12

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,722 in Tacoma, WA versus $2,075 in Atlanta, GA. 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 6% higher in Atlanta, GA. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $79.0 in Tacoma, WA versus $109 in Atlanta, GA. Groceries tell a different story – $489 in Tacoma, WA vs $455 in Atlanta, GA – so Atlanta, GA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Tacoma, WA
🇺🇸 Atlanta, GA
🕒 Local time
15:39 3:39 PM
18:39 6:39 PM
3 h ahead of Tacoma, WA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
219,346
510,823
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Tacoma, WA Atlanta, GA 3,500 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Tacoma, WA
  • Atlanta, GA

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
Tacoma, WA vs Atlanta, GA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,522 per month in Tacoma, WA and $4,522 in Atlanta, GA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
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.
How do food prices compare in Tacoma, WA and in Atlanta, GA?
Groceries cost about 7% more in Tacoma, WA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $2,097 per month in Tacoma, WA and $1,848 in Atlanta, GA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $2,500 enough to cover costs in Tacoma, WA or in Atlanta, GA?
$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,015 in Tacoma, WA and $3,015 in Atlanta, GA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Is Tacoma, WA or Atlanta, GA more family-friendly?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
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.

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