Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Atlanta, GA
VS
Kirkland, WA
🏆 Kirkland leads 14 of 22 categories
Atlanta
Georgia
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$77,655
Violent Crime Index
221⚠ High
Population
494,838 ✓ Larger
Kirkland
Washington
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$135,608 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
16 ✓ Safer
Population
92,015
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Atlanta, GA
Pros
Homes cost $542k less ($395,600 vs $937,700)
Rent averages $738/mo less ($1,512 vs $2,250)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Kirkland
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 47°F
Cons
Median income trails Kirkland by $57,953/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 4.7%)
Kirkland, WA
Pros
93% less violent crime than Atlanta
Households earn $57,953 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (60.6 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (4.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 90°F
More college-educated — 62.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $937,700
Higher rents — median is $2,250/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
$542k less
$395,600 vs $937,700
Atlanta
Summer Heat
13.5°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 76.5°F
Kirkland
Median Income
$57,953
$135,608 vs $77,655/yr
Kirkland
Violent Crime
93% lower
60.6 vs 840.6 per 100k
Kirkland
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
4.7% vs 5.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kirkland, 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 | $937,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,512⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,250⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $77,655 | $135,608 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.5 min | 25.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% | 24.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 204⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 221⚠ High | 16 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 178⚠ High | 96 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (120) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 57.3% | 62.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% | 96.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Atlanta Public Schools | Lake Washington Institute of Technology |
| 🌤 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" | 37.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.5" ✓ Less | 3.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 494,838 ✓ Larger | 92,015 |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 38.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 62.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.2% | 20.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 14.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Atlanta's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Kirkland's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Atlanta is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Kirkland leads 14 of 22 categories. Atlanta wins 8 and Kirkland 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 Kirkland or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($395,600 vs $937,700 median home), income ($77,655 vs $135,608), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Atlanta, GA and Kirkland, WA are about 2,172 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.