Atlanta GA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Newark
46.7%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 307,188 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.8 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 39.9% | 16.5% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 46.7% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.9% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $48,416 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $25,509 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 10.9% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 24.7% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 17.4% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $482,675 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 24.1% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 35.9% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.6% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.0% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 23.4% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 18.2% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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