Atlanta GA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.8 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 39.9% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 46.9% | 7.8% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.9% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $77,041 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $40,309 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 32.3% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $411,323 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 450 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2150 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 32.3% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.8% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 17.3% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.2% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 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 Philadelphia, PAAtlanta, GA vs San Antonio, TX