Atlanta, GA vs Dallas, TX
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Sep 2026
Report card
| Category | AtlantaAtlanta, GA | DallasDallas, TX | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | |||
| Affluence | Average | Average | |
| Cost of Living | |||
| Crime | High Risk | High Risk | Same |
| Education | |||
| Quality of Life | Good | Good | Same |
| Sovereignty | Self-Reliant | High Autonomy | |
| Strategic | Vulnerable | Vulnerable |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
At +1.1% year-over-year job growth, Atlanta, GA records a positive figure while Dallas, TX sits at -0.6%, a 1.7-point gap that places Atlanta in the 50th percentile and Dallas in the 11th. Unemployment in the two cities runs close, with Atlanta at 3.5% and Dallas at 4.2%, a 0.7-point difference that puts Dallas in the 74th percentile versus Atlanta’s 43rd. Work-from-home rates diverge sharply: 26.6% of Atlanta workers telecommute versus 14.0% in Dallas, a 12.6-point spread, with Atlanta in the 93rd percentile and Dallas in the 67th.
Healthcare access scores differ by 15 points, with Atlanta at 100/100 and Dallas at 85/100, placing Atlanta in the 90th percentile and Dallas in the 51st. Educational attainment also separates the pair: 58.4% of Atlanta adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared with 37.4% in Dallas, a 21.0-point gap that puts Atlanta in the 87th percentile and Dallas in the 62nd. Average household size runs larger in Dallas at 2.4 people versus 2 in Atlanta, a 21% difference, with Dallas in the 49th percentile and Atlanta in the 6th. Distance to the international border is 646 miles from Atlanta and 337 miles from Dallas, a 92% difference, placing Atlanta in the 86th percentile and Dallas in the 51st.
2023 Census figures show Atlanta’s median home value at $420,600 versus $295,300 in Dallas, a 42% gap, while median rent runs $1,617 against $1,403, a 15% difference. Violent crime per 100,000 people is 723 in Atlanta and 577 in Dallas, a 25% higher rate in Atlanta, with both cities in the 89th percentile or above. Property crime per 100,000 people is nearly identical at 3,075 in Atlanta and 3,077 in Dallas. Traffic deaths per 100,000 people are 14 in Atlanta and 18 in Dallas, a 27% higher rate in Dallas.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
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Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Dallas, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 14375th pctl | 11458th pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Atlanta, GA 143; Dallas, TX 114; Atlanta is 25% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $420,60074th pctl | $295,30054th pctl | Median home value: Atlanta, GA $420,600; Dallas, TX $295,300; Atlanta is 42% higher. |
| Median rent | $1,61775th pctl | $1,40364th pctl | Median rent: Atlanta, GA $1,617; Dallas, TX $1,403; Atlanta is 15% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $81,93862nd pctl | $67,76043rd pctl | Median household income: Atlanta, GA $81,938; Dallas, TX $67,760; Atlanta is 21% higher. |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $81,71575th pctl | $57,37155th pctl | Comfortable income (single): Atlanta, GA $81,715; Dallas, TX $57,371; Atlanta is 42% higher. |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $120,12175th pctl | $84,33655th pctl | Comfortable income (family of 4): Atlanta, GA $120,121; Dallas, TX $84,336; Atlanta is 42% higher. |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Stretched | Affordable | Housing affordability: Atlanta, GA C+; Dallas, TX B+; Dallas is graded higher. |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in Dallas needs about
$59,800
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 143 vs 114). Leaves out taxes, groceries and transport. How it works →
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
Jobs & income
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Dallas, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 3.5%43rd pctl | 4.2%74th pctl | Unemployment: Atlanta, GA 3.5%; Dallas, TX 4.2%; Dallas is 0.7 points higher. |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | +1.1%50th pctl | -0.6%11th pctl | Job growth (YoY): Atlanta, GA +1.1%; Dallas, TX -0.6%; Atlanta is 1.7 points higher. |
| Per-capita income | $64,06389th pctl | $44,13866th pctl | Per-capita income: Atlanta, GA $64,063; Dallas, TX $44,138; Atlanta is 45% higher. |
| Poverty rate | 17.9%76th pctl | 17.2%74th pctl | About the same |
| CommuteAverage commute | 26.8 min73rd pctl | 26 min67th pctl | About the same |
| Work from home | 26.6%93rd pctl | 14.0%67th pctl | Work from home: Atlanta, GA 26.6%; Dallas, TX 14.0%; Atlanta is 12.6 points higher. |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Stable | About the same |
| Job market | Strong | Stable | About the same |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Dallas, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 72394th pctl | 57789th pctl | Violent crime per 100k: Atlanta, GA 723; Dallas, TX 577; Atlanta is 25% higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 3,07592nd pctl | 3,07793rd pctl | About the same |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Falling | Falling | |
| Crime & safety | Dangerous | Dangerous | About the same |
| Traffic safety | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Dallas, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| HealthcareHealthcare access | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| Tap water | Poor | Clean | Tap water: Atlanta, GA F; Dallas, TX A-; Dallas is graded higher. |
| Power grid | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomesteadingHomesteading potential | Prime | Prime | About the same |
| Disaster riskNational disaster risk | High-Risk | High-Risk | About the same |
4 rows not shown (data not available)
4 rows not shown: climate comfort isn't available for Dallas, TX; broadband and local food access aren't available for either place; walkability isn't available for Atlanta, GA.
Data: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
Taxes & laws
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Dallas, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | FriendlyState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | FriendlyState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomeschoolHomeschool rules | highState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | noneState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| FirearmsFirearm laws grade | A-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | AState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| Property rightsProperty rights (eminent domain) | B+State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | B-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| EnergyEnergy production | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | Net exporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. |
Data: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
Strategic location
How exposed each place is to large-scale disruption, based on distance from big cities, likely targets and natural hazards.
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Dallas, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 0 mi1st pctl | 2 mi2nd pctl | Nearest large city: Atlanta, GA 0 mi; Dallas, TX 2 mi; Dallas is 2 mi higher. |
| Target proximity | Poor | Weak | Target proximity: Atlanta, GA D+; Dallas, TX C+; Dallas is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 646 mi86th pctl | 337 mi51st pctl | Distance to international border: Atlanta, GA 646 mi; Dallas, TX 337 mi; Atlanta is 92% higher. |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 222 mi45th pctl | 236 mi47th pctl | Distance to coastline: Atlanta, GA 222 mi; Dallas, TX 236 mi; Dallas is 6% higher. |
| StrategicStrategic location | Vulnerable | Vulnerable | About the same |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Dallas, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,28799th pctl | 1,299,553100th pctl | Population: Atlanta, GA 499,287; Dallas, TX 1,299,553; Dallas is 2.6 times larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 3,69085th pctl | 3,82685th pctl | About the same |
| Median age | 3419th pctl | 33.416th pctl | About the same |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 58.4%87th pctl | 37.4%62nd pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Atlanta, GA 58.4%; Dallas, TX 37.4%; Atlanta is 21.0 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 26th pctl | 2.449th pctl | Average household size: Atlanta, GA 2; Dallas, TX 2.4; Dallas is 21% larger. |
More about Atlanta's residents · Dallas's residents
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
Politics
Information only. Not part of any grade, difference or summary on this page.
Moving between Atlanta and Dallas
- Median rent: $1,617 in Atlanta, $1,403 in Dallas
- Median home value: $420,600 in Atlanta, $295,300 in Dallas
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 143 in Atlanta, 114 in Dallas
- Median household income: $81,938 in Atlanta, $67,760 in Dallas
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $120,121 in Atlanta, $84,336 in Dallas
- Unemployment: 3.5% in Atlanta, 4.2% in Dallas
- Average commute: 26.8 min in Atlanta, 26 min in Dallas
- Violent crime per 100k: 723 in Atlanta, 577 in Dallas
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More places like Atlanta and Dallas
- Data: Cost of living: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
- Data: Jobs & income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
- Data: Safety: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
- Data: Quality of life: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
- Data: Taxes & laws: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
- Data: Strategic location: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
- Data: People: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area.
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
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