What it costs to live and work in Georgia: the minimum wage, state income tax, sales tax and median rent, from official sources, and what they mean for your monthly budget.
| Georgia | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | $7.25 an hour | US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: State Minimum Wage Laws |
| State income tax | 4.99 % flat | Georgia Governor: Gov. Kemp Signs Legislation Lowering Taxes and Supporting Economic Growth |
| State sales tax | 4 % | Tax Foundation: State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026 |
| Median gross rent | $1,506 a month (2024) | US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table B25064 (Median Gross Rent) |
Georgia's own minimum is $5.15, but employers covered by federal law must pay the federal $7.25 an hour.
Georgia cut its flat rate from 5.19 % to 4.99 % for tax year 2026 (HB 463, signed May 11, 2026).
The state rate is 4 %; local taxes add 3.56 % on average, for a combined 7.56 %.
What income does rent in Georgia take?
A common rule of thumb is to keep rent at or below 30 % of gross income. At the median rent of $1,506 a month, that means a household income of about $60,200 a year before tax.
Good to know
- The standard deduction rose to $15,000 for single filers ($30,000 married filing jointly) in 2026.
- HB 463 also provides for further yearly rate cuts from 2027.
Sources
- US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: State Minimum Wage Laws (2026-07-01)
- Tax Foundation: State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (rates as of January 1, 2026) (2026-02-19)
- Tax Foundation: State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026 (2026-07-06)
- US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table B25064 (Median Gross Rent) (2025-09)
- Georgia Governor: Gov. Kemp Signs Legislation Lowering Taxes and Supporting Economic Growth (2026-05-11)