Atlanta GA vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Gainesville
21.6%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 143,611 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 39.9% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 46.9% | 21.6% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Gainesville
51.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $45,611 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $30,282 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 28.0% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 51.7% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 38.5% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Gainesville
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Gainesville
11.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 31.2% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 21.3% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.9% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 17.8% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.8% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 47.3 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville 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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