Atlanta, GA · Philadelphia, PA

Cost of Living: Atlanta vs Philadelphia

Living in Atlanta, GA costs 2.4% less than in Philadelphia, PA: a $100,000 salary in Atlanta, GA buys what $102,495 buys in Philadelphia, PA, based on BEA regional price parities for 2024.

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Atlanta vs Philadelphia: prices, pay and housing

Atlanta, GAPhiladelphia, PA
BEA price parity (U.S. = 100)100.1102.6
Average salary, all jobs$71,900$71,730
Median salary, all jobs$51,170$54,310
Average salary adjusted for prices$71,858$69,944
Take-home on the average salary*$56,572$57,090
Typical home value$382,938$390,463
Median household income$86,338$89,273
Home price / household income4.44.4
Metro population6,176,9376,241,882

*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.

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Equivalent salary: Atlanta to Philadelphia

To keep the same standard of living when moving from Atlanta to Philadelphia, multiply your salary by 1.025.

Salary in AtlantaSame buying power in Philadelphia
$50,000 in Atlanta$51,247 in Philadelphia
$75,000 in Atlanta$76,871 in Philadelphia
$100,000 in Atlanta$102,495 in Philadelphia
$150,000 in Atlanta$153,742 in Philadelphia
$200,000 in Atlanta$204,989 in Philadelphia

Salaries for common jobs in Atlanta and Philadelphia

JobAtlantaPhiladelphiaAdjusted for prices
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$31,880$32,250$31,862 / $31,447
Registered Nurses$99,760$101,400$99,702 / $98,875
Fast Food and Counter Workers$28,340$31,880$28,324 / $31,086
General and Operations Managers$141,560$145,650$141,478 / $142,023
Retail Salespersons$35,050$36,970$35,030 / $36,049
Cashiers$30,470$32,970$30,452 / $32,149
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$41,680$43,930$41,656 / $42,836
Stockers and Order Fillers$38,980$39,140$38,957 / $38,165
Office Clerks, General$44,300$48,560$44,274 / $47,351
Waiters and Waitresses$26,870$41,390$26,854 / $40,359
Customer Service Representatives$44,870$49,100$44,844 / $47,877
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$36,120$39,610$36,099 / $38,624
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$45,960$50,280$45,933 / $49,028
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$59,400$62,060$59,366 / $60,514
Nursing Assistants$40,570$45,820$40,546 / $44,679
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary

Adjusted = average salary divided by the BEA price parity: what it buys in a typical U.S. metro.

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Atlanta vs Philadelphia: questions

Is Atlanta more expensive than Philadelphia?

No. BEA prices are 100.1 in Atlanta, GA and 102.6 in Philadelphia, PA (U.S. = 100).

What salary do I need in Philadelphia to match $100,000 in Atlanta?

About $102,495, before taxes.

Where do salaries go further, Atlanta or Philadelphia?

Atlanta, GA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.

Sources and how to read this page

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