Atlanta GA vs Detroit MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.1 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 5.9% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 11.7% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.6% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 8.0% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $39,575 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $24,029 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 14.1% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 31.5% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 17.6% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 49.7% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 45.6% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 19.2% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 22.6% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.6% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 21.8% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Detroit
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Atlanta +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Atlanta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 27.3 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Atlanta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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