Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Atlanta, GA
VS
Elizabeth, NJ
🏆 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
Elizabeth
New Jersey
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,939
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,665
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
Households earn $17,716 more per year on average
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Elizabeth
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 40°F
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
Pricier housing — median home is $395,600
Higher rents — median is $1,512/mo
Elizabeth, NJ
Pros
51% less violent crime than Atlanta
Homes cost $37k less ($358,400 vs $395,600)
Rent averages $122/mo less ($1,390 vs $1,512)
Cons
Median income trails Atlanta by $17,716/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Property crime (2657.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Atlanta
Key Differences at a Glance
Atlanta
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Atlanta
Median Income
$17,716
$77,655 vs $59,939/yr
Atlanta
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 86.9°F
Elizabeth
Violent Crime
51% lower
408.7 vs 840.6 per 100k
Elizabeth
Median Home Value
$37k less
$358,400 vs $395,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Elizabeth, 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 | $358,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,512⚠ High | $1,390⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $77,655 ✓ Higher | $59,939 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.5 min | 26.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 4.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 204⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 221⚠ High | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 178⚠ High | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (120) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 57.3% ✓ Higher | 14.1% |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% ✓ Higher | 74.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Atlanta Public Schools | Elizabeth Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 53.7°F ✓ Warmer | 40.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer | 86.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.8" | 46.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.5" ✓ Less | 31.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 494,838 ✓ Larger | 135,665 |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 35.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% ✓ Higher | 25.1% |
| Under 18 | 17.2% | 25.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.0% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Atlanta's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Elizabeth's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Atlanta is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Atlanta leads 14 of 23 categories. Atlanta wins 14 and Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($395,600 vs $358,400 median home), income ($77,655 vs $59,939), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Atlanta, GA and Elizabeth, NJ are about 737 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.