City Comparison
Atlanta vs Stonecrest
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Atlanta scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Atlanta
Stonecrest
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Stonecrest is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Atlanta.
Housing costs are a major driver: Atlanta's average rent is
14% higher than Stonecrest's.
| Metric | Atlanta | Stonecrest | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,882 | $1,650 | +14% |
| Groceries | $450 | $420 | +7% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $240 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,882 | $2,615 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Atlanta offers 2% 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 $52,000 in Stonecrest.
| Metric | Atlanta | Stonecrest |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,708 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $85,652 | $65,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Atlanta sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Atlanta | Stonecrest |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.30°F | 63.30°F |
| Summer High | 87.50°F | 87.30°F |
| Winter Low | 35.70°F | 36.20°F |
| Rainfall | 46.30 in | 44.00 in |
| Snowfall | 3.30 in | 3.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | 232 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Atlanta has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Stonecrest.
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 | Stonecrest |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Atlanta is the larger city
— approximately 8.5x the population of Stonecrest.
From a growth perspective, Stonecrest 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 | Stonecrest |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 505,268 | 59,194 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.59% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 39.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Stonecrest
Advantages
More affordable housing options compared to intown Atlanta and northern metro suburbs per Zillow market data
Proximity to the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area providing extensive hiking and outdoor recreation
Strategic location along Interstate 20 offering direct access to the wider Atlanta employment market
Growing commercial retail and dining amenities centered around the Mall at Stonecrest district
Active municipal leadership focused on economic development and community-driven urban planning
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transit options connecting to regional rail networks
Traffic congestion along major commercial corridors like Turner Hill Road during peak commute hours
Property tax rates reflective of DeKalb County municipal structures
Limited high-density nightlife and entertainment options directly within city limits compared to central Atlanta
Relying on neighboring cities for major tertiary and quaternary hospital facilities
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
Stonecrest
#337Georgia, USA
60.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
232/yr
Avg Temp
63.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
72
Business
69
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