Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell vs Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos

Cost of Living Comparison

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$10,425
Rent (2BR) -$21,840
Net Income $37,735

To match your lifestyle in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, you'd need:

$73,174

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell 110.9
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos 126.4
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell $34,038
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos $32,079

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$7,241
Rent (2BR) -$22,224
Net Income $40,535

To match your lifestyle in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, you'd need:

$67,005

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $2,800 more per year in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos compared to Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell. You'd pay $3,184 less in taxes in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, while housing costs 2% more. The cost of living in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell is 11% above avg, while Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos is 26% above avg, making Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell feels like earning $73,174 in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell ($15,092 vs $22,621 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
Schools
1,159
541
Enrollment
1,017,584
345,378
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
5.4%
13.8%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
Institutions
73
31
In-State Tuition
$15,092
$22,621
Out-of-State
$17,861
$28,276
Grad Rate
51.1%
58.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell or Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos more expensive?

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos is more expensive with a cost of living index of 126.4 vs 110.9 (national average = 100).

What salary in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos equals $70,000 in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?

You would need to earn approximately $73,174 in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell vs Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $21,840 in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell and $22,224 in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos—housing is 2% more in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos.