Atlanta GA vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 192,696 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.5 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 39.9% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 46.9% | 3.1% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Vancouver
$78,156
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Vancouver
$42,839
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $78,156 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $42,839 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 31.5% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $510,577 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Vancouver
11.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 36.2% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.1% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.7% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
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, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver 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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