City comparison
No. Atlanta's crime index is 197 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 193 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Philadelphia is cheaper. Median rent is $1,397 a month versus $1,711 in Atlanta.
The income gap between Philadelphia and Atlanta is significant: $61,953 median household versus $85,652. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,711 in Atlanta.
Atlanta is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Philadelphia makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Atlanta is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Philadelphia at $1,397 average has pockets that run $1,197 and others at $1,797: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Philadelphia and Atlanta are 666 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,711 a month in Atlanta, up $314 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $85,652 in Atlanta, up $23,699 (38%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 197 in Atlanta, down 64 points (25%).
The move
Atlanta and Philadelphia are 666 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,711 a month in Atlanta to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, down $314 a month (18%).
Median household income goes from $85,652 in Atlanta to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $23,699 (28%).
The crime index goes from 197 in Atlanta to 261 in Philadelphia, up 64 points (32%).
Philadelphia, PA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Atlanta, GA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Philadelphia and Atlanta? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
18% cheaper
Philadelphia rent is 18% cheaper than Atlanta
Philadelphia
Winner$1,397/mo
Atlanta
$1,711/mo
Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $1,711 in Atlanta, so Philadelphia is 18% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,768, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Philadelphia still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Atlanta.
Planning to buy in Atlanta? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
38% higher
Atlanta's median income is 38% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Atlanta
Winner$85,652
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 38% higher in Atlanta (about $23,699 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Atlanta is the stronger labor market on paper. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
25% lower crime
Atlanta's crime index is 25% lower than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
Atlanta
Winner197 (100 = avg)
Atlanta's crime index is 197 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 25% lower in Atlanta. 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, Atlanta is the easier city. Philadelphia can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
20% more comfortable
Atlanta weather is 20% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
59°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 83/100
Atlanta
Winner68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Philadelphia averages about 59°F (67°F highs); Atlanta averages about 68°F (76°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Atlanta sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Atlanta scores 20% 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 Philadelphia if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 18% cheaper here at about $1,397 a month. Choose Philadelphia if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
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 38% higher ($85,652), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Atlanta is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 25% lower than Philadelphia (197 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
Pay is the headline: Atlanta median income is $85,652 versus $61,953 in Philadelphia (28% higher). Rent still runs $1,711/month in Atlanta and $1,397/month in Philadelphia, so the wage edge only helps if your offer matches Atlanta rates.
Atlanta still pays more locally ($85,652 median income vs $61,953), which can offset the lease if your field pays Atlanta rates.
Typical rent stays $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,711 in Atlanta.
Atlanta clears the bar on local pay in this dataset. Philadelphia deserves a serious look only when keeping rent near $1,397/month beats chasing $85,652 median income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Philadelphia and Atlanta, plus other cities in PA and GA.
