Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Atlanta, GA
VS
Fresno, CA
🏆 Fresno leads 13 of 23 categories
Atlanta
Georgia
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$77,655 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
221⚠ High
Population
494,838
Fresno
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Atlanta, GA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (5.8%)
More college-educated — 57.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $14,654 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 98°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Fresno
Cons
Violent crime (840.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,512/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $395,600
Property crime (3748.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Fresno, CA
Pros
13% less violent crime than Atlanta
Rent averages $285/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,512)
Homes cost $74k less ($321,800 vs $395,600)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (735.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Atlanta by $14,654/yr
Property crime (3271.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.0% vs 5.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Atlanta
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Atlanta
Median Income
$14,654
$77,655 vs $63,001/yr
Atlanta
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
5.8% vs 9.0% unemployment
Fresno
Violent Crime
13% lower
735.5 vs 840.6 per 100k
Fresno
Median Home Value
$74k less
$321,800 vs $395,600
Fresno
Summer Heat
7.7°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 90.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fresno, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 105.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $395,600⚠ High | $321,800⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,512⚠ High | $1,227 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $77,655 ✓ Higher | $63,001 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.5 min | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 8.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 204⚠ High | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 221⚠ High | 194⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 178⚠ High | 156⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (120) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 57.3% ✓ Higher | 24.4% |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% ✓ Higher | 79.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Atlanta Public Schools | Fresno Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 53.7°F | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 90.0°F | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.8" | 11.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 494,838 | 541,528 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.6 ✓ Older | 32.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 48.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.2% | 27.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.0% ✓ More | 11.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Atlanta's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Fresno's 105.0 (US average = 100).
Atlanta is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fresno leads 13 of 23 categories. Atlanta wins 10 and Fresno wins 13. 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 Fresno or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($395,600 vs $321,800 median home), income ($77,655 vs $63,001), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Atlanta, GA and Fresno, CA are about 1,995 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.