Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arden-Arcade, CA
VS
South Fulton, GA
🏆 South Fulton leads 14 of 23 categories
Arden-Arcade
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,479
Violent Crime Index
136⚠ High
Population
96,076
South Fulton
Georgia
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$77,488 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
107,865 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arden-Arcade, CA
Pros
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Rent averages $76/mo less ($1,385 vs $1,461)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $466,300
Violent crime (518.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails South Fulton by $13,009/yr
Cost of living runs 8% higher than South Fulton
South Fulton, GA
Pros
Homes cost $224k less ($242,200 vs $466,300)
9% less violent crime than Arden-Arcade
Households earn $13,009 more per year on average
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Arden-Arcade
Smaller class sizes — 18.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (470.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Higher rents — median is $1,461/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Arden-Arcade
Summer Heat
4.3°F warmer
July avg high 94.4°F vs 90.1°F
South Fulton
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
South Fulton
Median Income
$13,009
$77,488 vs $64,479/yr
South Fulton
Violent Crime
9% lower
470.5 vs 518.1 per 100k
South Fulton
Median Home Value
$224k less
$242,200 vs $466,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arden-Arcade, CA | South Fulton, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.9⚠ High | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $466,300⚠ High | $242,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,385⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,461⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,479 | $77,488 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1%⚠ High | 7.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.4 min ✓ Shorter | 32.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 13.9% ✓ Higher | 12.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 119⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 | 91 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.6:1 | 18.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.3% | 39.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.9% | 93.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | San Juan Unified | State Specialty Schools I- Georgia Cyber Academy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer | 54.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.4°F ✓ Warmer | 90.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 21.5" ✓ Drier | 54.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 2.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 96,076 | 107,865 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.9% | 69.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.8% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.6% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arden-Arcade's cost of living index is 108.9 vs South Fulton's 100.9 (US average = 100).
South Fulton is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, South Fulton leads 14 of 23 categories. Arden-Arcade wins 9 and South Fulton wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arden-Arcade to South Fulton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($466,300 vs $242,200 median home), income ($64,479 vs $77,488), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arden-Arcade, CA and South Fulton, GA are about 2,068 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.