Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Atlanta, GA
VS
Bellingham, WA
🏆 Atlanta leads 14 of 23 categories
Atlanta
Georgia
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$77,655 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
221⚠ High
Population
494,838 ✓ Larger
Bellingham
Washington
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,026
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
91,353
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Atlanta, GA
Pros
Homes cost $133k less ($395,600 vs $528,600)
Households earn $13,629 more per year on average
More college-educated — 57.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 48°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Bellingham
Cons
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 4.8%)
Higher rents — median is $1,512/mo
Bellingham, WA
Pros
58% less violent crime than Atlanta
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (4.8%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 90°F
Rent averages $127/mo less ($1,385 vs $1,512)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $528,600
Median income trails Atlanta by $13,629/yr
Property crime (3756.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Atlanta
Key Differences at a Glance
Atlanta
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 104.1 (100 = US avg)
Atlanta
Median Income
$13,629
$77,655 vs $64,026/yr
Atlanta
Median Home Value
$133k less
$395,600 vs $528,600
Atlanta
Summer Heat
14.9°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 75.1°F
Bellingham
Violent Crime
58% lower
350.0 vs 840.6 per 100k
Bellingham
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
4.8% vs 5.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bellingham, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 104.1⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $395,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $528,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,512⚠ High | $1,385⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $77,655 ✓ Higher | $64,026 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.5 min | 18.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 12.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 204⚠ High | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 221⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer | 179⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (120) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 57.3% ✓ Higher | 46.1% |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% | 94.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Atlanta Public Schools | Bellingham School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 53.7°F ✓ Warmer | 47.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer | 75.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.8" | 38.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.5" ✓ Less | 3.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 494,838 ✓ Larger | 91,353 |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 33.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% ✓ Higher | 45.6% |
| Under 18 | 17.2% ✓ More | 13.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 16.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Atlanta's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Bellingham's 104.1 (US average = 100).
Atlanta is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Atlanta leads 14 of 23 categories. Atlanta wins 14 and Bellingham wins 9. 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 Bellingham or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($395,600 vs $528,600 median home), income ($77,655 vs $64,026), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Atlanta, GA and Bellingham, WA are about 2,200 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.