Head-to-Head · City Comparison
El Monte, CA
VS
South Fulton, GA
🏆 South Fulton leads 13 of 23 categories
El Monte
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,929
Violent Crime Index
111⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
108,682 ✓ Larger
South Fulton
Georgia
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$77,488 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High
Population
107,865
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
El Monte, CA
Pros
10% less violent crime than South Fulton
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (7.0%)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 54°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $597,200
Median income trails South Fulton by $17,559/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Cost of living runs 15% higher than South Fulton
South Fulton, GA
Pros
Homes cost $355k less ($242,200 vs $597,200)
Households earn $17,559 more per year on average
More college-educated — 39.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
15% cheaper overall cost of living than El Monte
Rent averages $144/mo less ($1,461 vs $1,605)
Cons
Violent crime (470.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 7.0%)
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
El Monte
Violent Crime
10% lower
423.2 vs 470.5 per 100k
El Monte
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
7.0% vs 7.8% unemployment
South Fulton
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
South Fulton
Median Income
$17,559
$77,488 vs $59,929/yr
South Fulton
Median Home Value
$355k less
$242,200 vs $597,200
South Fulton
Summer Heat
4.6°F warmer
July avg high 90.1°F vs 85.5°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | El Monte, CA | South Fulton, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $597,200⚠ High | $242,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,605⚠ High | $1,461⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,929 | $77,488 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 32.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 4.9% | 12.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 106⚠ High ✓ Safer | 111⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer | 124⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 98 | 91 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (66) | C+ (86) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.2:1 | 18.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 13.7% | 39.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 63.9% | 93.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Mountain View Elementary | State Specialty Schools I- Georgia Cyber Academy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 68.6°F ✓ Warmer | 54.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.5°F | 90.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 15.7" ✓ Drier | 54.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 2.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 108,682 ✓ Larger | 107,865 |
| Median Age | 37.4 ✓ Older | 37.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.6% | 69.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.4% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.6% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
El Monte's cost of living index is 115.5 vs South Fulton's 100.9 (US average = 100).
South Fulton is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, South Fulton leads 13 of 23 categories. El Monte wins 10 and South Fulton 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 El Monte to South Fulton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($597,200 vs $242,200 median home), income ($59,929 vs $77,488), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
El Monte, CA and South Fulton, GA are about 1,911 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.