Cost of living · head to head
Philadelphia, PA is 2% 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
Philadelphia, PAoverall index
102.6
Try your own salary
in Atlanta, GA
To live the same in Philadelphia, PA, you’d need about $102,498.
That’s about $2,498 more — Philadelphia, PA is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 2%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Philadelphia, PA runs 2% higher than in Atlanta, GA (113.1 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 Philadelphia, PA
| $50,000 in Atlanta, GA | $51,249 |
| $75,000 in Atlanta, GA | $76,873 |
| $100,000 in Atlanta, GA | $102,498 |
| $150,000 in Atlanta, GA | $153,746 |
| $200,000 in Atlanta, GA | $204,995 |
Each row shows the salary in Philadelphia, PA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Atlanta, GA.
Atlanta, GA · housing
111
Philadelphia, PA · housing
113.1
Common questions
Is Philadelphia, PA cheaper than Atlanta, GA?
No — Philadelphia, PA has an overall cost-of-living index of 102.6 versus 100.1 for Atlanta, GA, making it about 2% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Philadelphia, PA to match $100,000 in Atlanta, GA?
About $102,498. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Atlanta, GA costs roughly $102,498 in Philadelphia, PA.
Is housing cheaper in Philadelphia, PA than in Atlanta, GA?
Housing in Philadelphia, PA scores 113.1 versus 111 in Atlanta, GA — about 2% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Atlanta, GA and Philadelphia, PA?
Overall, Philadelphia, PA is about 2% pricier than Atlanta, GA (index 102.6 vs 100.1), with housing 2% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.