Atlanta GA vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 186,419 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 39.9% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 46.9% | 7.8% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $77,643 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $42,371 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 49.5% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $468,328 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 41.6% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.3% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
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 Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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