Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Atlanta, GA
VS
Clifton, NJ
🏆 Atlanta leads 13 of 23 categories
Atlanta
Georgia
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$77,655
Violent Crime Index
221⚠ High
Population
494,838 ✓ Larger
Clifton
New Jersey
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$94,179 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
44 ✓ Safer
Population
89,451
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Atlanta, GA
Pros
More college-educated — 57.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (5.8%)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Clifton
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 39°F
Homes cost $32k less ($395,600 vs $428,000)
Rent averages $121/mo less ($1,512 vs $1,633)
Cons
Violent crime (840.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Clifton by $16,524/yr
Property crime (3748.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Clifton, NJ
Pros
80% less violent crime than Atlanta
Violent crime is well below the national average (165.8 vs 380/100k)
Households earn $16,524 more per year on average
Cons
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Atlanta
Pricier housing — median home is $428,000
Higher rents — median is $1,633/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Atlanta
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Atlanta
Median Home Value
$32k less
$395,600 vs $428,000
Atlanta
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
5.8% vs 6.4% unemployment
Atlanta
Summer Heat
3.5°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 86.5°F
Clifton
Median Income
$16,524
$94,179 vs $77,655/yr
Clifton
Violent Crime
80% lower
165.8 vs 840.6 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Clifton, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $395,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $428,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,512⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,633⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $77,655 | $94,179 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.5 min ✓ Shorter | 28.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 8.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 204⚠ High | 69 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 221⚠ High | 44 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 178⚠ High | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (120) ✓ Better | A- (110) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 57.3% ✓ Higher | 34.3% |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% ✓ Higher | 89.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Atlanta Public Schools | Clifton Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 53.7°F ✓ Warmer | 39.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer | 86.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.8" | 50.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.5" ✓ Less | 28.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 494,838 ✓ Larger | 89,451 |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 40.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 57.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.2% | 19.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 17.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Atlanta's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Clifton's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Atlanta is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Atlanta leads 13 of 23 categories. Atlanta wins 13 and Clifton wins 10. 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 Clifton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($395,600 vs $428,000 median home), income ($77,655 vs $94,179), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Atlanta, GA and Clifton, NJ are about 746 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.