Cost of Living · Updated June 2026
Georgia vs Florida Cost of Living Comparison
Florida's cost of living index sits at 102 against Georgia's 92 (US average = 100) – so a $80,000 lifestyle in Georgia costs about $88,700 in Florida before taxes. After state taxes the gap shifts further: $80,000 gross nets $61,192 in Georgia vs $65,110 in Florida for a single filer in 2026.
Housing drives most of it: median home prices are $330,000 in Georgia vs $400,000 in Florida, with one-bedroom rents at $1,400 vs $1,700. Flat rate stepping down 0.10%/year toward 4.99%. No state income tax; rising home-insurance premiums offset part of the saving
Cost of living calculator
Equivalent salary
–
–
–
- Budget A
- –
- Budget B
- –
- Rent share of pay A
- –
- Rent share of pay B
- –
Line-by-line, monthly
| Item | A | B | Δ |
|---|
Composite 2026 index incl. centre rent (NYC = 100). Salary figures are gross – taxes not included; pair with the salary after tax calculator.
Key insights
Key insights
- COL index: Georgia 92 vs Florida 102 (US = 100).
- $80,000 gross nets $61,192 in Georgia vs $65,110 in Florida (single filer, 2026).
- Median homes: $330,000 vs $400,000.
- State income tax on $80k: $3,918 vs $0/year.
- Renter disposable income favours Florida.
| Metric | Georgia | Florida |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax | 5.19% flat | None |
| Combined sales tax (avg) | 7.4% | 7.0% |
| Effective property tax | 0.72% | 0.79% |
| Cost of living index (US = 100) | 92 | 102 |
| Median home price | $330,000 | $400,000 |
| Typical 1-bed rent | $1,400 | $1,700 |
Taxes: the hidden half of the comparison
Georgia taxes wages at a flat 5.19%, while Florida levies none. On $80,000, that's $3,918 vs $0 per year in state income tax.
Income tax isn't the whole story: sales tax averages 7.4% vs 7.0%, and property tax 0.72% vs 0.79% of home value annually. For renters, income and sales taxes dominate; property tax matters once you buy.
Affordability verdict
For a renter earning $80,000: net pay minus 12× rent leaves $44,392 of disposable income per year in Georgia vs $44,710 in Florida. Florida wins the renter math in 2026.
For buyers the answer can flip: mortgage on the median home plus property tax totals roughly $2,099/month in Georgia vs $2,567 in Florida at 2026 rates. Run the rent vs buy calculator for your target metro before deciding.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Florida cheaper than Georgia?
No – Florida indexes at 102 vs Georgia's 92, driven mostly by housing ($400,000 vs $330,000 median homes).
How do taxes compare between Georgia and Florida?
Georgia: income tax 5.19% flat, 7.4% sales, 0.72% property. Florida: no income tax, 7.0% sales, 0.79% property.
What salary do I need in Florida to match $80,000 in Georgia?
About $88,700 pre-tax, using the COL ratio 102/92. After-tax differences add roughly $3,918/year on top.
Which state is better for retirees?
Florida exempts all wage and most retirement income by default. Property tax matters most for owners: 0.72% (Georgia) vs 0.79%.
Do these numbers include 2026 tax changes?
Yes – state rates reflect 2026 schedules (including phased flat-tax reductions where legislated) and the federal math uses 2026 IRS brackets and the $16,100 standard deduction.
Keep exploring
Related Cost of Living pages
- New York vs Florida cost of living
- Washington, DC vs Atlanta cost of living
- Charlotte vs Tampa cost of living
- Orlando vs Tampa salary equivalent
- $150k in New York City vs Miami
- Salary needed in New York City
- San Francisco vs Denver salary equivalent
- Boston vs Austin salary equivalent
- $120k in Austin vs San Francisco
- Cost of living in San Diego for a family
- Moving from Boston to Miami
- Moving from New York City to Miami
- Moving from Seattle to Denver
- Moving from Chicago to Phoenix
- Moving from Los Angeles to Denver
- Moving from New York City to Charlotte
- Moving from Los Angeles to Austin
- Moving to New York City: setup costs
- Moving from San Francisco to Austin
- Interstate Moving Uhaul
Plan the whole move, not just one number.
Every MovingCal tool shares the same 2026 dataset – carry your cities, salary, and countries from one calculator to the next.