Atlanta, GA · Los Angeles, CA

Cost of Living: Atlanta vs Los Angeles

Living in Atlanta, GA costs 11.9% less than in Los Angeles, CA: a $100,000 salary in Atlanta, GA buys what $113,500 buys in Los Angeles, CA, based on BEA regional price parities for 2024.

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Atlanta vs Los Angeles: prices, pay and housing

Atlanta, GALos Angeles, CA
BEA price parity (U.S. = 100)100.1113.6
Average salary, all jobs$71,900$77,270
Median salary, all jobs$51,170$55,850
Average salary adjusted for prices$71,858$68,040
Take-home on the average salary*$56,572$60,080
Typical home value$382,938$968,608
Median household income$86,338$93,525
Home price / household income4.410.4
Metro population6,176,93713,012,469

*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.

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Equivalent salary: Atlanta to Los Angeles

To keep the same standard of living when moving from Atlanta to Los Angeles, multiply your salary by 1.135.

Salary in AtlantaSame buying power in Los Angeles
$50,000 in Atlanta$56,750 in Los Angeles
$75,000 in Atlanta$85,125 in Los Angeles
$100,000 in Atlanta$113,500 in Los Angeles
$150,000 in Atlanta$170,250 in Los Angeles
$200,000 in Atlanta$227,000 in Los Angeles

Salaries for common jobs in Atlanta and Los Angeles

JobAtlantaLos AngelesAdjusted for prices
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$31,880$35,890$31,862 / $31,603
Fast Food and Counter Workers$28,340$41,080$28,324 / $36,173
Retail Salespersons$35,050$43,010$35,030 / $37,872
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$41,680$44,070$41,656 / $38,806
Office Clerks, General$44,300$50,980$44,274 / $44,890
Cashiers$30,470$39,550$30,452 / $34,826
Registered Nurses$99,760$140,370$99,702 / $123,602
General and Operations Managers$141,560$157,110$141,478 / $138,342
Stockers and Order Fillers$38,980$42,400$38,957 / $37,335
Waiters and Waitresses$26,870$42,640$26,854 / $37,546
Security Guards$38,790$43,880$38,768 / $38,638
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$36,120$43,050$36,099 / $37,907
Accountants and Auditors$97,920$99,740$97,863 / $87,826
Customer Service Representatives$44,870$53,500$44,844 / $47,109
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$59,400$61,230$59,366 / $53,916
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary

Adjusted = average salary divided by the BEA price parity: what it buys in a typical U.S. metro.

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Atlanta vs Los Angeles: questions

Is Atlanta more expensive than Los Angeles?

No. BEA prices are 100.1 in Atlanta, GA and 113.6 in Los Angeles, CA (U.S. = 100).

What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match $100,000 in Atlanta?

About $113,500, before taxes.

Where do salaries go further, Atlanta or Los Angeles?

Atlanta, GA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.

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