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Georgia

Moderate tax burden · COL index 91

Wins 7 categories

VS

California

High tax burden · COL index 142

Wins 4 categories

California's top income tax rate is 13.3% vs Georgia's 5.49%. Cost of living in California (index 142) runs 56% higher than Georgia (index 91). The median home in California costs $790K vs $340K in Georgia. Politically, Georgia voted Republican in 2024 (R+2.0) while California went Democratic (D+20.0).

Georgia
California

Taxes

5.49%
Income Tax (top rate)
13.3%
0.81%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.71%/yr
7.35%
Sales Tax (avg)
8.82%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
As income
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

91
COL Index (100=avg)
142
$340K
Median Home Price
$790K
$1,600/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$2,300/mo
$2K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

499
Violent Crime / 100K
499
2,212
Property Crime / 100K
2,027

Healthcare

#37 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#13 of 50
75.2 yrs
Life Expectancy
79.2 yrs
14.1%
Uninsured Rate
6.8%
No
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#32 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#20 of 50
Yes
School Choice / Vouchers
No

Childcare

$1,050/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$2,200/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$145/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$175/mo
$450/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$620/mo
#12 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#49 of 50

Social Policy

F
Gun Laws Grade
A
R+2.0
2024 Presidential Margin
D+20.0

Category wins

7

Georgia

4

California

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People Also Ask

Is it cheaper to live in Georgia or California?

Overall cost of living in Atlanta, GA is 37.9% lower than in Los Angeles, CA. The average listing price for a home in Atlanta, GA is $418,200, which is 69.0% lower than Los Angeles, CA. The average cost of groceries in Atlanta, GA is 7.9% lower than Los Angeles, CA.

Is $100,000 a good salary in Georgia?

In Georgia, earning $100,000 a year is generally considered a strong and comfortable income, especially compared to many other states. Georgia's cost of living remains lower than the national average in categories such as housing, groceries, transportation, and utilities.

What is the best state to move to from California?

Is GA the best state to live in?

Georgia scored in the top 20 in only two categories: affordability rank (No. 18) and quality of life ranking (No. 19). The Peach State scored the lowest (No.

Full Georgia Profile →Full California Profile →

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