Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from New York to Georgia
New York imposes a combined state and local income tax reaching 14.776% for NYC residents (state 10.9% + NYC local 3.876%), while Georgia has a flat 5.39% rate across all income levels (changed from progressive 6% in 2024). A $100,000 earner in NYC pays approximately $10,452 in combined income tax ($6,576 state + $3,876 NYC) vs $5,390 in Georgia—saving $5,062/year. At $150,000, the savings jump to $9,387 annually. Property taxes heavily favor Georgia (0.87% vs NY 1.72%), saving $3,400/year on a $400,000 home. This massive tax differential has fueled the Atlanta metro boom: Georgia gained 75,000+ net residents from Northeast states 2020-2023, with major finance and tech firms opening Atlanta offices for remote work arbitrage—keeping NYC salaries while paying GA's 5.39% flat rate.
Plus NYC Local Tax
State 4-10.9% + NYC 3.078-3.876% = 14.776% combined max
Flat Rate (Changed 2024)
Single flat rate of 5.39% on all income (changed from 6% progressive in 2024)
At $150,000 income:
That is $782/month back in your pocket!
| Income | NY Tax | GA Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $4,939 NYC combined | $2,695 | $2,244 | $22,440 |
| $75,000 | $7,689 NYC combined | $4,043 | $3,646 | $36,460 |
| $100,000 | $10,452 NYC combined | $5,390 | $5,062 | $50,620 |
| $150,000 | $16,302 NYC combined | $8,085 | $8,217 | $82,170 |
| $250,000 | $28,165 NYC combined | $13,475 | $14,690 | $146,900 |
| $100K upstate NY (no NYC tax) | $6,576 state only | $5,390 | $1,186 | $11,860 |
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Moving from New York to Georgia? Multi-state returns are tricky—partial-year residency, different deadlines, avoiding double taxation. Get matched with a CPA who specializes in state moves. Virtual meetings, fixed pricing.
Get Matched With a CPA →At $100,000 income, you save $5,062 per year on income tax alone moving from NYC to Georgia ($422/month). NYC charges 10.9% state + 3.876% local = 14.776% combined. Georgia charges 5.39% flat. Add property tax savings ($6,080/year on a $400K home) and total savings reach $11,142/year = $111,420 over 10 years. At $150,000 income, savings jump to $13,361/year total.
Georgia switched from a progressive tax system (5 brackets up to 6% top rate) to a flat 5.39% rate effective January 1, 2024. This was part of a broader Georgia tax reform effort to make the state more competitive with Tennessee (0% income tax) and Florida (0% income tax) for attracting relocations from high-tax states. The flat 5.39% rate simplified tax filing and created massive arbitrage opportunities for NYC relocators.
Generally yes, if you establish Georgia residency. You must: (1) spend 183+ days in GA, (2) get GA driver's license, (3) register to vote in GA, (4) file GA state return. However, some NYC employers have "convenience of employer" rules requiring NY tax even for remote workers. Verify with your employer's payroll/HR and consult a tax professional. Keep detailed records of days in each state. If valid GA resident, you pay only GA's 5.39% rate, saving thousands annually.
Tax savings drive the trend. NYC's 14.776% combined income tax vs Georgia's 5.39% flat rate creates $5,000-$15,000/year savings depending on income. Add property tax savings ($3,000-7,000/year), plus 44% lower housing costs, and after-tax purchasing power increases dramatically. Remote work allows keeping NYC salaries while paying GA taxes. Atlanta gained 75K+ Northeast transplants 2020-2023. Major firms (Goldman Sachs, Google, Microsoft) opened Atlanta offices. Film industry boom created 50K+ jobs.
New York property tax averages 1.72% (7th highest nationally), but varies widely: Westchester 2.25%, Long Island 2.0-2.4%, upstate 2.5-3.0%. Georgia averages 0.87% (26th nationally): Fulton County (Atlanta) 0.92%, Cobb County 0.73%, Gwinnett 0.85%. On a $400K home: NY = $6,880-9,000/year, GA = $2,920-3,680/year. Savings: $3,200-6,080/year. Combined with income tax savings, total tax reduction reaches $11,000-$22,000/year for homeowners.
Upstate NY has NO NYC local income tax, so combined rates are lower than NYC. However, upstate still pays NY state tax (up to 10.9%), which is higher than GA's 5.39%. At $100K: upstate NY pays $6,576 state tax vs GA $5,390 = save $1,186/year. Property taxes upstate are often HIGHER than NYC (2.5-3.0% in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse) vs GA 0.87%. So GA still wins vs upstate, just by smaller margin than vs NYC.
Buckhead (15K+ transplants): Finance professionals, luxury high-rises, feels like Upper East Side. Midtown (12K+ transplants): Young professionals, walkable, arts district. Sandy Springs (10K+ transplants): Families, excellent schools, suburban feel. Alpharetta/Johns Creek (8K+ transplants): Tech workers, corporate campuses. Decatur (5K+ transplants): Progressive, artsy, Brooklyn-style vibe. Roswell/Marietta (7K+ transplants): Families, historic downtowns. All offer dramatically lower taxes and cost of living than NYC metro.
At ANY income level, GA has lower taxes than NYC. Even at $50K, you save $2,244/year. But the savings become life-changing at $100K+ ($5,062/year) and transformational at $150K+ ($7,281/year income tax + $6,000+ property tax = $13,000+/year total). For homeowners making $100K+, the 10-year savings ($110K-$140K+) alone fund a down payment on a second home, early retirement, or college tuition. The decision is financially clear at almost any income level.
Yes. Sales tax: NY 8-8.875% combined (state + local) vs GA 6.8-8.9%. GA taxes groceries at 4% (NY doesn't). Estate tax: NY has estate tax (0.8-16% on estates over $6.94M in 2026), GA has none. Corporate tax (if you own a business): NY 6.5-7.25% vs GA 5.75%. Gas tax: NY $0.47/gallon vs GA $0.38/gallon. Overall, GA has lower total tax burden across nearly all categories except groceries.
Atlanta has become a major Southeast job hub: #1 for film/TV production ($4B+ annual), major finance hub (Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan offices), booming tech scene (Google, Microsoft, Apple, Mailchimp, Calendly). Salaries average 20-30% lower than NYC, but after-tax income is often higher due to tax savings. World's busiest airport (ATL) makes travel easy. Fortune 500 HQs: Coca-Cola, Delta, Home Depot, UPS. Remote work allows keeping NYC salaries while living in Atlanta, creating arbitrage opportunity.