City Comparison · 2026
Los Angeles vs Atlanta
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Los Angeles = $73k in Atlanta
Metric
Los Angeles
Atlanta
COL Index
1.76
✓1.29
1BR Monthly Rent
$2,450/mo
✓$1,850/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$3,200/mo
✓$2,350/mo
State Income Tax
CA
GA
$100k Take-Home
$73,198
✓$73,246
$100k Effective Rate
26.8%
✓26.75%
$100k Savings Potential
$43,798
✓$51,046
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Los Angeles CA | Atlanta GA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. | $46,954 $3,913/mo · 21.74% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. | $73,246 $6,104/mo · 26.75% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. | $105,043 $8,754/mo · 29.97% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Atlanta cheaper to live in?
Los Angeles has a cost-of-living index of 1.76 while Atlanta is 1.29 (1.00 = US average). Atlanta is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Los Angeles is $2,450/month vs $1,850/month in Atlanta.
How much more do you need to earn in Los Angeles vs Atlanta?
$100k in Los Angeles = $73k in Atlanta. Cost of living in Atlanta is lower by 26.7%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Los Angeles or Atlanta?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles) and $73,246 in GA (Atlanta). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $43,798 in Los Angeles vs $51,046 in Atlanta.
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