Moving from Raleigh to Atlanta?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your Raleigh lifestyle in Atlanta, you'd need to earn:
$76,453/year
▲ $1,453 more than you make now
| Category | Raleigh | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $76,453 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$8,434 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,740 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,109 |
| State Tax | -$3,188 | -$3,968 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,961 | $58,203 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is +1.9% in Atlanta
- Housing is +7.2% in Atlanta
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd pay $705/year in taxes in Atlanta
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~355 miles
DIY Truck
$2,000
Container
$3,500
Full-Service
$5,000
Salary Equivalents: Raleigh to Atlanta
| Your Raleigh Salary | Atlanta Equivalent | Difference | Atlanta Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $40,775 | +$775 | $32,685 |
| $50,000 | $50,968 | +$968 | $40,346 |
| $60,000 | $61,162 | +$1,162 | $48,008 |
| $75,000 | $76,453 | +$1,453 | $58,203 |
| $100,000 | $101,937 | +$1,937 | $74,808 |
| $150,000 | $152,905 | +$2,905 | $107,328 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How Raleigh and Atlanta Compare
Housing (7% more expensive in Atlanta)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Atlanta rents for $1,630/month compared to $1,240/month in Raleigh. Median home prices: $411,000 in Atlanta vs $431,000 in Raleigh.
Taxes
North Carolina has a flat 4.3% state income tax. Georgia has a flat 5.2% state income tax. On a $75,000 salary, moving to Atlanta would cost you about $705/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Atlanta's overall cost of living is 1.9% higher than Raleigh, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).Raleigh: 98.2, Atlanta: 100.1.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your Raleigh to Atlanta move. Average cost: $2,000–$5,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in Atlanta
Average 1BR rent in Atlanta: $1,630/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
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