Atlanta GA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.5 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 39.9% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 46.9% | 6.6% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $871,599 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 44.3% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 19.0% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 28.8 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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