Atlanta GA vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 220,482 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.3 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 39.9% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 46.9% | 10.5% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $44,756 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 33.5% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $496,966 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 37.3% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.9% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.7% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.9% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 31.1 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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