Atlanta GA vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.7 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 39.9% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 46.9% | 23.7% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.6% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Atlanta +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $64,731 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $38,890 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $52,606 | Atlanta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 33.4% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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