Atlanta GA vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 199,696 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 8.0% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 46.9% | 35.7% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 4.0% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Tallahassee
51.0%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $55,931 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $35,704 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 23.2% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 51.0% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 39.5% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 34.1% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.3% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.2% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.2% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Atlanta +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 58.1 in | Atlanta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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