Cost of living · head to head
Boston, MA is 8% pricier than Atlanta, GA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Atlanta, GAoverall index
100.1
Boston, MAoverall index
108.3
Try your own salary
in Atlanta, GA
To live the same in Boston, MA, you’d need about $108,192.
That’s about $8,192 more — Boston, MA is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 8%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Boston, MA runs 34% higher than in Atlanta, GA (148.4 vs 111), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Boston, MA
| $50,000 in Atlanta, GA | $54,096 |
| $75,000 in Atlanta, GA | $81,144 |
| $100,000 in Atlanta, GA | $108,192 |
| $150,000 in Atlanta, GA | $162,288 |
| $200,000 in Atlanta, GA | $216,384 |
Each row shows the salary in Boston, MA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Atlanta, GA.
Atlanta, GA · housing
111
Boston, MA · housing
148.4
Common questions
Is Boston, MA cheaper than Atlanta, GA?
No — Boston, MA has an overall cost-of-living index of 108.3 versus 100.1 for Atlanta, GA, making it about 8% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Boston, MA to match $100,000 in Atlanta, GA?
About $108,192. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Atlanta, GA costs roughly $108,192 in Boston, MA.
Is housing cheaper in Boston, MA than in Atlanta, GA?
Housing in Boston, MA scores 148.4 versus 111 in Atlanta, GA — about 34% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Atlanta, GA and Boston, MA?
Overall, Boston, MA is about 8% pricier than Atlanta, GA (index 108.3 vs 100.1), with housing 34% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.