Atlanta, GA vs Nashville, TN
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Jun 2026
Report card
| Category | AtlantaAtlanta, GA | NashvilleNashville, TN | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | |||
| Affluence | Average | Average | |
| Cost of Living | |||
| Crime | High Risk | Elevated | |
| Education | |||
| Quality of Life | Good | Good | |
| Sovereignty | Self-Reliant | Moderate | |
| Strategic | Vulnerable | Vulnerable | Same |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
3.5% of the labor force in Atlanta, GA was unemployed in 2023, compared to 2.8% in Nashville, TN, placing Atlanta in the 43rd percentile for unemployment and Nashville in the 15th. Per-capita income in Atlanta was $64,063, 37% higher than Nashville's $46,820, with Atlanta in the 89th percentile and Nashville in the 72nd. Property crime per 100,000 people was 3,075 in Atlanta and 1,641 in Nashville, a difference of 87% higher in Atlanta, placing the city in the 92nd percentile versus Nashville's 64th.
Population density also diverges sharply, with Atlanta at 3,690 people per square mile, 2.6 times higher than Nashville's 1,439, putting Atlanta in the 85th percentile and Nashville in the 43rd. Traffic deaths per 100,000 people were 14 in Atlanta and 23 in Nashville, a 59% higher rate in Nashville, which falls in the 67th percentile compared to Atlanta's 43rd. Distance to the coastline is 222 miles for Atlanta and 384 miles for Nashville, 73% higher for Nashville, while distance to an international border is 646 miles for Atlanta and 528 miles for Nashville, 22% higher for Atlanta.
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 | Nashville, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 14375th pctl | 13168th pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Atlanta, GA 143; Nashville, TN 131; Atlanta is 9% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $420,60074th pctl | $383,10069th pctl | Median home value: Atlanta, GA $420,600; Nashville, TN $383,100; Atlanta is 10% higher. |
| Median rent | $1,61775th pctl | $1,48670th pctl | Median rent: Atlanta, GA $1,617; Nashville, TN $1,486; Atlanta is 9% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $81,93862nd pctl | $75,19753rd pctl | Median household income: Atlanta, GA $81,938; Nashville, TN $75,197; Atlanta is 9% higher. |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $81,71575th pctl | $74,42971st pctl | Comfortable income (single): Atlanta, GA $81,715; Nashville, TN $74,429; Atlanta is 10% higher. |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $120,12175th pctl | $109,41171st pctl | Comfortable income (family of 4): Atlanta, GA $120,121; Nashville, TN $109,411; Atlanta is 10% higher. |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Stretched | Stretched | About the same |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in Nashville needs about
$68,700
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 143 vs 131). 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 | Nashville, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 3.5%43rd pctl | 2.8%15th pctl | Unemployment: Atlanta, GA 3.5%; Nashville, TN 2.8%; Atlanta is 0.7 points higher. |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | +1.1%50th pctl | +1.1%50th pctl | About the same |
| Per-capita income | $64,06389th pctl | $46,82072nd pctl | Per-capita income: Atlanta, GA $64,063; Nashville, TN $46,820; Atlanta is 37% higher. |
| Poverty rate | 17.9%76th pctl | 14.1%62nd pctl | Poverty rate: Atlanta, GA 17.9%; Nashville, TN 14.1%; Atlanta is 3.8 points higher. |
| CommuteAverage commute | 26.8 min73rd pctl | 24.9 min60th pctl | Average commute: Atlanta, GA 26.8 min; Nashville, TN 24.9 min; Atlanta is 2 minutes longer. |
| Work from home | 26.6%93rd pctl | 18.3%79th pctl | Work from home: Atlanta, GA 26.6%; Nashville, TN 18.3%; Atlanta is 8.3 points higher. |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Stable | About the same |
| Job market | Strong | Strong | About the same |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Nashville, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 72394th pctl | 49185th pctl | Violent crime per 100k: Atlanta, GA 723; Nashville, TN 491; Atlanta is 47% higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 3,07592nd pctl | 1,64164th pctl | Property crime per 100k: Atlanta, GA 3,075; Nashville, TN 1,641; Atlanta is 87% higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Falling | Falling | |
| Crime & safety | Dangerous | Fair | Crime & safety: Atlanta, GA F; Nashville, TN C-; Nashville is graded higher. |
| Traffic safety | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | FairCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Traffic safety: Atlanta, GA B+; Nashville, TN C+; Atlanta is graded higher. |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Nashville, TN | 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; Nashville, TN A-; Nashville 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 Nashville, TN; broadband, walkability and local food access aren't available for either place.
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 | Nashville, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HomeschoolHomeschool rules | highState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | moderateState 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. | A-State 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. | D-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| EnergyEnergy production | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. |
1 row not shown: taxes isn't available for Nashville, TN.
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 | Nashville, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 0 mi1st pctl | 1 mi1st pctl | Nearest large city: Atlanta, GA 0 mi; Nashville, TN 1 mi; Nashville is 6.0 times higher. |
| Target proximity | Poor | Poor | Target proximity: Atlanta, GA D+; Nashville, TN F; Atlanta is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 646 mi86th pctl | 528 mi72nd pctl | Distance to international border: Atlanta, GA 646 mi; Nashville, TN 528 mi; Atlanta is 22% higher. |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 222 mi45th pctl | 384 mi61st pctl | Distance to coastline: Atlanta, GA 222 mi; Nashville, TN 384 mi; Nashville is 73% higher. |
| StrategicStrategic location | Vulnerable | Vulnerable | About the same |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Nashville, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,28799th pctl | 684,29899th pctl | Population: Atlanta, GA 499,287; Nashville, TN 684,298; Nashville is 37% larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 3,69085th pctl | 1,43943rd pctl | Population density (per sq mi): Atlanta, GA 3,690; Nashville, TN 1,439; Atlanta is 2.6 times higher. |
| Median age | 3419th pctl | 34.421st pctl | About the same |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 58.4%87th pctl | 46.9%76th pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Atlanta, GA 58.4%; Nashville, TN 46.9%; Atlanta is 11.5 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 26th pctl | 2.218th pctl | Average household size: Atlanta, GA 2; Nashville, TN 2.2; Nashville is 9% larger. |
More about Atlanta's residents · Nashville'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 Nashville
- Median rent: $1,617 in Atlanta, $1,486 in Nashville
- Median home value: $420,600 in Atlanta, $383,100 in Nashville
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 143 in Atlanta, 131 in Nashville
- Median household income: $81,938 in Atlanta, $75,197 in Nashville
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $120,121 in Atlanta, $109,411 in Nashville
- Unemployment: 3.5% in Atlanta, 2.8% in Nashville
- Average commute: 26.8 min in Atlanta, 24.9 min in Nashville
- Violent crime per 100k: 723 in Atlanta, 491 in Nashville
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More places like Atlanta and Nashville
- 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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