Atlanta GA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.1 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 39.9% | 36.1% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 39.9% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $60,698 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $37,669 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.4% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 22.0% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 34.6% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Philadelphia, PA | 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
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 34.5 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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