Moving from Atlanta, GA to Columbus, GA-AL
About 3,443 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020). Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Columbus, GA-AL.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 21.0% of income in Atlanta, GA and 21.0% in Columbus, GA-AL.
Atlanta, GA Columbus, GA-AL (monthly)
| Monthly | Atlanta, GA | Columbus, GA-AL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,222 | $1,222 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $229 | $229 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,611 | $4,611 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,619 | $1,053 | −$566 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,619 | $1,053 | −$566 |
| Food | $442 | $424 | −$18 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.3 | $442 | $424 | −$18 |
| Transportation | $158 | $158 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.96/gal (Lower Atlantic (PADD)) | $158 | $158 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $20 | $19 | −$1 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 4% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $20 | $19 | −$1 |
| Other goods & services | $986 | $975 | −$11 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.3 | $502 | $482 | −$20 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 98.6 | $484 | $493 | +$9 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,385 | $1,981 | +$596 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 15.7% of income in Atlanta, GA and 15.7% in Columbus, GA-AL.
Atlanta, GA Columbus, GA-AL (monthly)
| Monthly | Atlanta, GA | Columbus, GA-AL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,568 | $1,568 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $333 | $333 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,432 | $8,432 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,762 | $1,212 | −$550 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,762 | $1,212 | −$550 |
| Childcare | $1,383 | $1,047 | −$336 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $128/wk, school-age $70/wk (2022 prices, Muscogee County, GA); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $1,383 | $1,047 | −$336 |
| Food | $1,288 | $1,236 | −$52 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.3 | $1,288 | $1,236 | −$52 |
| Transportation | $317 | $317 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.96/gal (Lower Atlantic (PADD)) | $317 | $317 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $20 | $19 | −$1 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 4% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $20 | $19 | −$1 |
| Other goods & services | $986 | $975 | −$11 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.3 | $502 | $482 | −$20 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 98.6 | $484 | $493 | +$9 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,677 | $3,627 | +$950 |
Atlanta, GA vs Columbus, GA-AL at a glance
| Measure | Atlanta, GA | Columbus, GA-AL |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 100.1 | 89.3 |
| Housing price level | 111.0 | 61.2 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,619 | $1,053 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,762 | $1,212 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,099 | $1,611 |
| Median home value | $367,600 | $197,300 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.79% | 0.74% |
| Median household income | $89,724 | $59,336 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $205 | $143 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 4% | 4% |
| Regular gasoline | $3.96 | $3.96 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $159 | $159 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Columbus, GA-AL to keep my Atlanta, GA lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Atlanta, GA, about $60,048 in Columbus, GA-AL (−14.2%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $104,876. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Columbus, GA-AL cheaper than Atlanta, GA?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Columbus, GA-AL is at 89.3 and Atlanta, GA at 100.1 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$596 a month in Columbus, GA-AL.
How many people move from Atlanta, GA to Columbus, GA-AL?+
About 3,443 people a year (±817), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020).
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.