Atlanta GA vs New York NY — 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
New York
35.9%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.0 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 39.9% | 35.9% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 22.7% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
New York
$79,713
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
New York
$50,776
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
New York
41.0%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $79,713 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $50,776 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.7% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 41.0% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $816,078 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 32.8% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
New York
16.9%
New York +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
New York
11.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.9% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.9% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.4% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
New York
46.6 in
New York +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 46.6 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 44.2 min | Atlanta + |
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, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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