Atlanta GA vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.6 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 39.9% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 46.9% | 5.0% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.1% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $54,546 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $31,152 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 18.8% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 30.2% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tucson, 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%
Atlanta +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 33.5% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.5% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.3% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 15.7% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.5% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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