Atlanta GA vs Jacksonville 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Jacksonville
30.1%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.4 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 39.9% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 46.9% | 30.1% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 4.9% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Jacksonville
$66,981
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $66,981 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $37,269 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 31.9% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 34.8% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.2% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.9% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.8% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 70.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 50.0 in | Jacksonville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 26.0 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville 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%.
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