Atlanta vs Rochester: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Atlanta, Georgia compare to Rochester, New York? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Rochester is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 255% higher in Atlanta compared to Rochester, while rent is 52% higher. State income tax is 5.49% in GA vs 10.9% in NY.
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rochester, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $395,600 | $111,400 | +255.1% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,512 | $995 | +52.0% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $77,655 | $44,156 | +75.9% |
| Per Capita Income | $60,778 | $28,611 | +112.4% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.5% | 10.9% | -49.6% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.4% | 8.5% | -13.5% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 494,838 | 210,992 | +134.5% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Atlanta
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Rochester
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Atlanta costs $395,600 compared to $111,400 in Rochester — a 255% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,512/mo in Atlanta vs $995/mo in Rochester.
- Income: Median household income is $77,655 in Atlanta and $44,156 in Rochester.
- Taxes: State income tax is 5.49% in Georgia vs 10.9% in New York.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).