Atlanta GA vs Escondido CA — 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%
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Escondido
107,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Escondido
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Escondido
38.1
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Escondido
13.7%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Escondido
0.6%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Escondido
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 107,066 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.1 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 49.7% | Escondido + |
| White | 39.9% | 13.7% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 0.6% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 29.3% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 65.1% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Escondido
$64,484
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Escondido
$24,356
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Escondido
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Escondido
17.2%
Escondido +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Escondido
14.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $64,484 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $24,356 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 17.2% | Escondido + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 14.7% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Escondido
$849,335
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Escondido
40.1%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $849,335 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 40.1% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Escondido
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Escondido
2388
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Escondido
11.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Escondido
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Escondido
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Escondido
12.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 28.1% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.3% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.0% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 14.1% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.2% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.2% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Escondido
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 11.1 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Escondido
75.0%
Escondido +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Escondido + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Escondido
31.6 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 31.6 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
Compare More Cities
Atlanta, GA vs New York, NYAtlanta, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAtlanta, GA vs Chicago, ILAtlanta, GA vs Houston, TXAtlanta, GA vs Phoenix, AZAtlanta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA