Home /

Compare Cost of Living

Select two U.S. metro areas to compare their Regional Price Parity (RPP) indices for goods, services, and housing, plus salary equivalents.

Atlanta vs Phoenix

Phoenix is 3.3% more expensive than Atlanta. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities, national average = 100.

Metro A
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
100.1
Overall RPP
100.4
Goods
96.2
Services
111.0
Rents
Metro B
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
103.3
Overall RPP
95.0
Goods
93.3
Services
121.2
Rents

Category Breakdown

Category Atlanta Phoenix Diff (B−A)
Overall Cost 100.1 103.3 +3.3
Goods 100.4 95.0 -5.4
Services 96.2 93.3 -2.9
Rents/Housing 111.0 121.2 +10.2

Visual Comparison

Overall Cost Higher than Atlanta
Atlanta
100.1
Phoenix
103.3
Goods Lower than Atlanta
Atlanta
100.4
Phoenix
95.0
Services Lower than Atlanta
Atlanta
96.2
Phoenix
93.3
Rents/Housing Higher than Atlanta
Atlanta
111.0
Phoenix
121.2

Vertical marker = national average (100)

Salary Equivalents

What you would need to earn in Phoenix to match your purchasing power in Atlanta:

Salary in Atlanta Equivalent in Phoenix Difference
$50,000 $51,628 +$1,628
$75,000 $77,442 +$2,442
$100,000 $103,256 +$3,256
$150,000 $154,884 +$4,884

Use the salary calculator for custom amounts and reverse direction.

Metro Context

Metric Atlanta Phoenix
Population 6,176,937 4,941,206
Median Household Income $86,338 $84,703
Data Year 2024 2024
State GA AZ

Key Differences

Overall Cost: Phoenix is 3.3 points pricier than Atlanta (100.1 vs 103.3).

Goods: Atlanta is 5.4 points cheaper than Phoenix (100.4 vs 95.0).

Services: Atlanta is 2.9 points cheaper than Phoenix (96.2 vs 93.3).

Rents/Housing: Phoenix is 10.2 points pricier than Atlanta (111.0 vs 121.2).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phoenix more expensive than Atlanta?
Phoenix is 3.3% more expensive than Atlanta. The overall cost index is 103.3 vs 100.1 (national average = 100).
What salary in Phoenix is equivalent to $100K in Atlanta?
A $100,000 salary in Atlanta has the same purchasing power as $103,256 in Phoenix, based on BEA Regional Price Parity data.
How do housing costs compare between Atlanta and Phoenix?
Housing/rents in Atlanta are indexed at 111.0 while Phoenix is at 121.2 (national average = 100). Phoenix has higher housing costs.
Which is larger - Atlanta or Phoenix?
Atlanta is larger by population. Atlanta has 6,176,937 residents vs 4,941,206 in Phoenix.

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by Metropolitan Statistical Area Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by Metropolitan Statistical Area Index where U.S. average = 100