Atlanta GA vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 393,389 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.6 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 39.9% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 46.9% | 21.3% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 4.8% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Tampa
$49,513
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $71,302 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $49,513 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 44.6% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 31.9% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.5% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 15.9% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.6% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa 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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