Cost of Living in Georgia: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024
What is the cost of living in Georgia? doxo breaks down key insights about Georgia’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state.
According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in Georgia pays $2,128 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Phone, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.
The data sheds light on Georgia’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month.
By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.
Georgia ranks as the 23rd most expensive state in the US for household bills
According to doxo’s COBI report, Georgia is ranked as the 23rd most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills, making it the least expensive state for these expenses.
At $25,539 per year, Georgia’s household expenses, on average, are 0.1% higher than the US average of $25,513.
Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. Georgia households spend 34% of their income on bills.
COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national average and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national average. The COBI for Georgia is 100.
- Average Bill Cost per Household: $2,128 per month
- Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 100
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #23
- Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 34%
- Compared to the National Average: 0.1% higher
Georgia Household Expenses are 0.1% Higher Than the National Average
The average Georgia household pays $2,128 per month in the 10 most common household bills. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills.
On the lowest end of the spectrum, the average monthly payment for alarm and security bills in Georgia is $78, compared to the national average of $85, making it approximately 8% lower than the average.
Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for Georgia residents. The average monthly mortgage payment is $1,499, compared to the national average of $1,402, making it 7% more expensive.
Average Georgia Household Bill Spending
| Bill Category | Average Georgia Monthly Bill | National Average Monthly Bill | Georgia Percent +/- National Average ($2,126) |
| Mortgage | $1,499 | $1,402 | 7% higher |
| Rent | $1,253 | $1,300 | 3% lower |
| Auto Loan | $516 | $496 | 4% higher |
| Utilities | $289 | $362 | 20% lower |
| Auto Insurance | $208 | $209 | The same |
| Health Insurance | $80 | $114 | 30% lower |
| Mobile Phone | $114 | $121 | 6% lower |
| Cable & Internet | $121 | $122 | The same |
| Life Insurance | $79 | $87 | 9% lower |
| Alarm & Security | $78 | $85 | 8% lower |
| Total | $2,128 | $2,126 | 0.1% higher |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Suwanee has the highest cost of living in Georgia for household bills
Residents of Suwanee pay the highest household bills in the state of Georgia, at an average of $2,995 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Suwanee is 141, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 41% higher than the national average.
In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Suwanee makeup 26% of the average annual household income of $135,679.
Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.
10 Most Expensive Georgia Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | Suwanee | $135,679 | $2,995 | 173 | 73% higher | 26% |
| 2 | Alpharetta | $144,394 | $2,971 | 170 | 70% higher | 25% |
| 3 | Roswell | $129,121 | $2,800 | 154 | 54% higher | 26% |
| 4 | Cumming | $130,861 | $2,740 | 153 | 53% higher | 25% |
| 5 | Peachtree City | $110,821 | $2,735 | 145 | 45% higher | 30% |
| 6 | Duluth | $89,989 | $2,712 | 144 | 44% higher | 36% |
| 7 | Atlanta | $83,815 | $2,678 | 142 | 42% higher | 38% |
| 8 | Richmond Hill | $104,411 | $2,659 | 140 | 40% higher | 31% |
| 9 | Peachtree Corners | $72,707 | $2,625 | 138 | 38% higher | 43% |
| 10 | Buford | $96,118 | $2,600 | 138 | 38% higher | 32% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Blackshear has the lowest cost of living in Georgia for household bills
Out of 156 cities, Blackshear is the most affordable place in Georgia, with residents paying $1,205 on average for household bills, accounting for 25% of annual income of $56,825. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Blackshear is 57, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 43% below the national average.
Quincy is the second most affordable city in Georgia, with residents paying $1,277 per month on average.
Also on the list of the 10 least expensive cities in Georgia are Waycross ($1,381), Summerville ($1,382) and Lyons ($1,395).
10 Most Affordable Georgia Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expense Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 147 | Swainsboro | $49,292 | $1,476 | 69 | 31% lower | 36% |
| 148 | Cairo | $48,479 | $1,459 | 69 | 31% lower | 36% |
| 149 | Gray | $69,741 | $1,448 | 68 | 32% lower | 25% |
| 150 | Thomaston | $48,346 | $1,445 | 68 | 32% lower | 36% |
| 151 | Baxley | $42,244 | $1,424 | 67 | 33% lower | 40% |
| 152 | Hartwell | $60,331 | $1,424 | 67 | 33% lower | 28% |
| 153 | Lyons | $45,214 | $1,395 | 66 | 34% lower | 37% |
| 154 | Summerville | $42,820 | $1,382 | 65 | 35% lower | 39% |
| 155 | Waycross | $45,323 | $1,381 | 65 | 35% lower | 37% |
| 156 | Blackshear | $56,825 | $1,205 | 57 | 43% lower | 25% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in Georgia with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.