Cost of Living in Georgia (GA)
Compare costs across 6 Georgia cities. From home services to salaries, see how GA stacks up against the national average.
6
Cities
97
Avg Cost Index
$59K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
Georgia's average cost index is 97, which is near the national baseline of 100. Macon is the most affordable tracked city in GA at index 80, while Sandy Springs is the most expensive at index 108.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 28 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
Georgia Highlights: Most affordable city: Macon (index 80). Most expensive: Sandy Springs (index 108). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 28 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
97/100
Georgia is near the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Macon
Macon has a cost index of 80.
Most expensive
Sandy Springs
Sandy Springs has a cost index of 108.
Income average
$59K
Average median household income across 6 tracked GA cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Georgia
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 499K | 107 | $64K | major |
| Macon | 157K | 80 | $35K | mid |
| Savannah | 148K | 92 | $44K | mid |
| Sandy Springs | 108K | 108 | $76K | mid |
| Roswell | 93K | 108 | $83K | small |
| Warner Robins | 80K | 84 | $50K | small |
Georgia State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Georgia.
State Income Tax
5.49%
flat system
Combined Sales Tax
7.38%
4% state + 3.38% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
0.92%
~$2,760/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: Georgia uses a flat income tax at 5.49%. No state estate tax. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Macon if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Georgia.
- Compare Sandy Springs against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.