Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Atlanta, GA
VS
Bellevue, WA
🏆 Bellevue leads 14 of 23 categories
Atlanta
Georgia
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$77,655
Violent Crime Index
221⚠ High
Population
494,838 ✓ Larger
Bellevue
Washington
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$149,551 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
150,606
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Atlanta, GA
Pros
Homes cost $744k less ($395,600 vs $1,139,500)
Rent averages $910/mo less ($1,512 vs $2,422)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Bellevue
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 47°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Bellevue by $71,896/yr
Violent crime (840.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3748.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.8% vs 4.0%)
Bellevue, WA
Pros
Households earn $71,896 more per year on average
84% less violent crime than Atlanta
Violent crime is well below the national average (138.6 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (4.0%)
More college-educated — 70.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,139,500
Higher rents — median is $2,422/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Atlanta
Key Differences at a Glance
Atlanta
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Atlanta
Median Home Value
$744k less
$395,600 vs $1,139,500
Atlanta
Summer Heat
13.5°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 76.5°F
Bellevue
Median Income
$71,896
$149,551 vs $77,655/yr
Bellevue
Violent Crime
84% lower
138.6 vs 840.6 per 100k
Bellevue
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
4.0% vs 5.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bellevue, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $395,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,139,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,512⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,422⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $77,655 | $149,551 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High | 4.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.5 min | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% | 29.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 204⚠ High | 85 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 221⚠ High | 36 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 178⚠ High | 159⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (120) ✓ Better | A- (115) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 57.3% | 70.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% | 95.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Atlanta Public Schools | Bellevue School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 53.7°F ✓ Warmer | 47.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.8" | 43.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.5" ✓ Less | 3.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 494,838 ✓ Larger | 150,606 |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 38.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 51.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.2% | 20.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 14.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Atlanta's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Bellevue's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Atlanta is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Bellevue leads 14 of 23 categories. Atlanta wins 9 and Bellevue 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 Atlanta to Bellevue or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($395,600 vs $1,139,500 median home), income ($77,655 vs $149,551), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Atlanta, GA and Bellevue, WA are about 2,168 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.