City Comparison
Atlanta vs Smyrna
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Atlanta scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Atlanta
Smyrna
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Smyrna is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Atlanta.
| Metric | Atlanta | Smyrna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,882 | $1,750 | +8% |
| Groceries | $450 | $420 | +7% |
| Utilities | $180 | $190 | -5% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,882 | $2,630 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Atlanta offers 23% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Atlanta delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Atlanta is estimated at
$55,000 vs $57,912 in Smyrna.
| Metric | Atlanta | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $52,722 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $57,912 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,708 idx | 53,255 idx |
| Household Income | $85,652 | $67,048 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Atlanta runs warmer on average — a 63.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Atlanta comes out ahead with 233 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Atlanta sees 3.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Atlanta | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Atlanta has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Smyrna.
Atlanta scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Atlanta leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Atlanta | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 33 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Atlanta is the larger city
— approximately 36.3x the population of Smyrna.
From a growth perspective, Smyrna is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Atlanta | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 505,268 | 13,936 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.59% | 2.90% |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Atlanta
Advantages
Atlanta offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major U.S. cities, with housing costs being a significant factor in its favor.
The city has a strong and diverse job market with projected job growth significantly higher than the national average, driven by key industries like aviation, FinTech, and healthcare.
Atlanta is a major transportation hub, boasting the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which facilitates global travel and trade.
The city provides a high quality of life with a "City in the Forest" ambiance, a vibrant cultural scene, diverse culinary options, and ample outdoor recreational opportunities.
Atlanta's crime rates have shown a downward trend in recent years, with significant reductions in major crime categories in 2024, reaching historic lows for violent crime.
Drawbacks
Atlanta is known for its notorious traffic congestion, which can significantly impact commute times and daily travel.
The city's public transportation system, while present, is often cited as a con due to its limitations in serving the extensive urban sprawl of the metropolitan area.
While generally affordable, housing costs in Atlanta can still be a significant expense, and the market has seen substantial increases in required income to afford a home.
Summer humidity and heat can be intense, contributing to less comfortable outdoor conditions during certain months.
Competition in certain sectors, such as tech and media, can be intense, requiring job seekers to be well-researched and prepared.
Smyrna
Advantages
Smyrna is one of the fastest-growing communities in Delaware, indicating strong development and opportunity.
The cost of living in Smyrna is generally lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
The town boasts a quality school district, making it attractive for families.
Smyrna's strategic location provides convenient access to larger job markets in Dover and Wilmington.
The town offers a strong community-focused lifestyle with a walkable downtown and local events.
Drawbacks
Smyrna has a higher crime rate compared to both national and statewide averages, with a worsening crime trajectory.
The town exhibits high car dependency due to a Walk Score of 0.
The average commute time of 33.4 minutes is higher than the national average.
Public transportation options, while available, may have limited frequency and coverage.
Despite growth, the town itself has limited economic opportunities, requiring commutes for many jobs.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Atlanta
#148Georgia, USA
65.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,882
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
63.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.59%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
74
Business
68
Smyrna
#533Delaware, USA
49.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$52,722
Cost Index
99
Commute
33 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.90%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
68
Business
72
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