Atlanta vs Raleigh: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Atlanta, GA and Raleigh, NC, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Raleigh, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 494,838 | 465,517 |
| Median household income | $77,655 | $78,631 |
| Median home value | $395,600 | $347,000 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,512 | $1,371 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Atlanta, GA and Raleigh, NC comes down to what you value most. Raleigh has the lower median home value, and Raleigh has the lower median rent.
Raleigh has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Raleigh?
- By median home value, Raleigh is the cheaper of the two ($347,000 vs $395,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Atlanta or Raleigh?
- Median household income is $77,655 in Atlanta versus $78,631 in Raleigh, per the US Census Bureau.