What is the cost of living in Decatur, GA?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Decatur has an overall cost of living index of 148, which is 1.5x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Georgia, Decatur has a cost of living index that's 1.6x higher than Georgia's index of 95.
The standard of living in Decatur ranks as #156 most affordable out of the 157 places we measured in Georgia. By definition, that implies Decatur ranks as the #1 most expensive place in the Peach State.
For more reading on life in Decatur, check out:
Decatur Cost Of Living Vs. Georgia
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Decatur. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Decatur is 100.
The Groceries index in Decatur is 103.
The Health index in Decatur is 256.
The Housing index in Decatur is 100.
The Transportation index in Decatur is 107.
The Utilities index in Decatur is 104.
| Living Expense | Decatur | Georgia | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 148 | 95 | 100 |
| Services | 100 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 99 | 100 |
| Health | 256 | 88 | 100 |
| Housing | 100 | 101 | 100 |
| Transportation | 107 | 104 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 101 | 100 |
Decatur Cost Of Living Compared To Georgia Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Georgia, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Decatur Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Decatur, GA Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Georgia, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Decatur is $279,470.
The Median Rent in Decatur is $1,655.
The Median Income in Decatur is $139,397.
The Home Value To Income in Decatur is 2.0x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Decatur is 0.14x.
Decatur, GA Costs By Category
Detailed Decatur Services costs vs. Georgia
Detailed Decatur Groceries costs vs. Georgia
Detailed Decatur Health costs vs. Georgia
Detailed Decatur Transportation costs vs. Georgia
Decatur SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Decatur
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Decatur. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Sandy Springs, GA has a cost of living index of 135, 0.9x Decatur.
Roswell, GA has a cost of living index of 129, 0.9x Decatur.
Johns Creek, GA has a cost of living index of 132, 0.9x Decatur.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Decatur |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Springs, GA | 107,087 | 135 | 0.9x |
| Roswell, GA | 92,621 | 129 | 0.9x |
| Johns Creek, GA | 81,988 | 132 | 0.9x |
| Dunwoody, GA | 51,758 | 136 | 0.9x |
| Duluth, GA | 32,426 | 111 | 0.8x |
| Candler-McAfee, GA | 20,905 | 97 | 0.7x |
| North Decatur, GA | 18,442 | 120 | 0.8x |
| North Druid Hills, GA | 17,997 | 126 | 0.9x |
| Clarkston, GA | 14,557 | 98 | 0.7x |
| Belvedere Park, GA | 14,181 | 103 | 0.7x |








