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:
$77,801/year
▲ $2,801 more than you make now
| Category | Raleigh | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $77,801 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$8,730 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,824 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,128 |
| State Tax | -$3,188 | -$4,038 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,961 | $59,081 |
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 | $41,314 | +$1,314 | $33,090 |
| $50,000 | $51,662 | +$1,662 | $40,868 |
| $60,000 | $61,950 | +$1,950 | $48,600 |
| $75,000 | $77,801 | +$2,801 | $59,081 |
| $100,000 | $103,641 | +$3,641 | $75,918 |
| $150,000 | $155,499 | +$5,499 | $108,966 |
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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