Atlanta GA vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 183,032 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 42.9 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 39.9% | 51.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 46.9% | 28.8% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.6% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $79,935 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $57,845 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 39.8% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $510,297 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 30.3% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.8% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 14.7% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.0% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Atlanta +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 66.5 in | Atlanta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 28.5 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
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, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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