City comparison
No. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 197 in Atlanta, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 193, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Raleigh is cheaper. Median rent is $1,572 a month versus $1,711 in Atlanta.
Safety is where Atlanta and Raleigh split most clearly. Raleigh scores 55 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,711 in Atlanta and $1,572 in Raleigh.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Raleigh costs less and Atlanta pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Raleigh has rougher pockets and Atlanta has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Atlanta and Raleigh are 355 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,711 a month in Atlanta to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, down $139 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $85,652 in Atlanta to $85,395 in Raleigh, down $257 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 197 in Atlanta to 142 in Raleigh, down 55 points (28%).
The move
Raleigh and Atlanta are 355 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,711 a month in Atlanta, up $139 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $85,652 in Atlanta, up $257 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 197 in Atlanta, up 55 points (39%).
Atlanta, GA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Raleigh, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Atlanta and Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
8% cheaper
Raleigh rent is 8% cheaper than Atlanta
Atlanta
$1,711/mo
Raleigh
Winner$1,572/mo
Typical rent runs $1,572 a month in Raleigh versus $1,711 in Atlanta, so Raleigh is 8% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $139, or $1,668 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
Atlanta's median income is 1% higher than Raleigh
Atlanta
Winner$85,652
Raleigh
$85,395
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $85,395 in Raleigh, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Atlanta (about $257 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
28% lower crime
Raleigh's crime index is 28% lower than Atlanta
Atlanta
197 (100 = avg)
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 197 in Atlanta (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 28% lower in Raleigh. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Raleigh is the easier city. Atlanta can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
3% more comfortable
Atlanta weather is 3% more comfortable than Raleigh
Atlanta
Winner61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Atlanta averages about 61°F (70°F highs); Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs). Atlanta averages around 61°F. Raleigh averages around 60°F. Atlanta scores 3% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Raleigh if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 1% higher ($85,652), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 61°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Raleigh is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 8% cheaper here at about $1,572 a month. Choose Raleigh if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Raleigh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 28% lower than Atlanta (142 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Raleigh leads on safety (49/100 vs 39/100 in Atlanta). Typical rent is $1,572 in Raleigh and $1,711 in Atlanta; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
With only $139 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Weather averages land near 61°F in Atlanta and 60°F in Raleigh.
Raleigh is ahead on safety (49/100 vs 39/100); Atlanta is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,711/month rent plus $85,652 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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