Salary Guide · 2026
Georgia Salary Guide (2026)
This guide explains how salaries are taxed in Georgia, what take-home pay looks like at different income levels, and how cost of living affects real purchasing power across major cities.
Georgia Income Snapshot
Individual median income
$41,800
-25% vs US median
Household median income
$71,355
US Census ACS 2023
Median take-home (annual)
$33,397
Eff. rate: 20.1%
Median monthly take-home
$2,783
Single filer, 2026
Income Tax Structure in Georgia
Tax system: Flat state income tax (5.49%)
Georgia moved to a flat income tax rate of 5.49%, set to gradually decrease toward 4.99%. Atlanta offers one of the strongest job markets in the Southeast with lower cost of living than coastal metros.
Take-Home Pay at Popular Salary Levels
Single filer · Standard deduction · GA state tax · 2026 IRS brackets
| Gross salary | Federal tax | State tax | FICA | Take-home | Monthly | Eff. rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $5,094 | $3,294 | $4,590 | $47,022 | $3,919 | 21.63% |
| $85,000 | $10,054 | $4,667 | $6,503 | $63,776 | $5,315 | 24.97% |
| $120,000 | $17,754 | $6,588 | $9,180 | $86,478 | $7,207 | 27.93% |
| $160,000 | $27,314 | $8,784 | $12,240 | $111,662 | $9,305 | 30.21% |
Take-home as % of gross
Housing Affordability in Georgia Cities
Based on $120,000 salary · Rent: HUD FMR 2026 · COL: C2ER/ACCRA
Atlanta
COL: 1.29× · 1BR rent: $1,850/mo
Rent burden: 25.7% of take-home
Is $120,000 enough in Atlanta? →Savannah
COL: 1.05× · 1BR rent: $1,350/mo
Rent burden: 18.7% of take-home
Is $120,000 enough in Savannah? →Augusta
COL: 0.91× · 1BR rent: $1,050/mo
Rent burden: 14.6% of take-home
Is $120,000 enough in Augusta? →Columbus
COL: 0.91× · 1BR rent: $1,100/mo
Rent burden: 15.3% of take-home
Is $120,000 enough in Columbus? →Athens
COL: 0.95× · 1BR rent: $1,150/mo
Rent burden: 16.0% of take-home
Is $120,000 enough in Athens? →Popular Salary Guides for Georgia
Is This Salary Enough in Georgia?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $100,000 a good salary in Georgia?
A $100,000 salary in Georgia yields approximately $73,506 per year ($6,126/month) after federal and state taxes. In most Georgia cities, this is above the state individual median of $41,800 — generally a comfortable income.
How much state income tax do you pay in Georgia?
Georgia has Flat state income tax (5.49%). For a $85,000 salary, the estimated state income tax is $4,667. Your effective rate depends on your income level, filing status, and deductions.
What salary is considered middle class in Georgia?
The individual median income in Georgia is $41,800 and the household median is $71,355 (Census ACS 2023). Middle-class income typically ranges from 67%–200% of the household median, roughly $47,808–$142,710 for a family.
Data Sources
- •Tax calculations: IRS federal tax tables
- •Payroll taxes: Social Security Administration
- •Salary data: Bureau of Labor Statistics
- •Rent data: HUD Fair Market Rents
Data updated monthly using government datasets.