Atlanta GA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Washington
43.3%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.9 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 39.9% | 39.1% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 43.3% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 4.1% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $580,173 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 41.1% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 24.0% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 32.8 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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