City cost comparison
Atlanta vs Austin
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Atlanta, GA against Austin, TX.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Austin, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $770 | $800 | +4% cheaper in Atlanta |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,183 | $1,283 | +8% cheaper in Atlanta |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $602 | $615 | +2% cheaper in Atlanta |
| FoodPer child / month | $335 | $340 | +1% cheaper in Atlanta |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $82 | $84 | +2% cheaper in Atlanta |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.