Atlanta GA vs Fullerton 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%
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Fullerton
141,278
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Fullerton
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Fullerton
36.1
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Fullerton
43.0%
Fullerton +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Fullerton
2.1%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Fullerton
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 141,278 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.1 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 28.9% | Fullerton + |
| White | 39.9% | 43.0% | Fullerton + |
| Black | 46.9% | 2.1% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 24.5% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 39.6% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Fullerton
$48,061
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Fullerton
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Fullerton
43.6%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $104,219 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $48,061 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 12.2% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 43.6% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Fullerton
51.5%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $1,047,700 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 51.5% | Fullerton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Fullerton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Fullerton
2388
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fullerton, 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%
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Fullerton
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 23.9% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.9% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.8% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.2% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.0% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.2% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Fullerton
65.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 13.9 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Fullerton
75.0%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fullerton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Fullerton
32.5 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 32.5 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 Fullerton. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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