City Comparison
Brookhaven vs Smyrna
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brookhaven scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brookhaven
Smyrna
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Smyrna is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Brookhaven.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brookhaven's average rent is
11% higher than Smyrna's.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Smyrna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,750 | +11% |
| Groceries | $480 | $420 | +14% |
| Utilities | $175 | $190 | -8% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,975 | $2,630 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 120 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Brookhaven offers 56% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Brookhaven delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Brookhaven is estimated at
$65,000 vs $57,912 in Smyrna.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $52,722 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $57,912 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,333 idx | 53,255 idx |
| Household Income | $105,400 | $67,048 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Brookhaven runs warmer on average — a 63.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Brookhaven comes out ahead with 233 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Brookhaven sees 3.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Brookhaven has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Smyrna.
Brookhaven scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Brookhaven leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 33 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Brookhaven is the larger city
— approximately 4x the population of Smyrna.
From a growth perspective, Smyrna is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Brookhaven has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,850 | 13,936 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 2.90% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brookhaven
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $105,000, reflecting a prosperous and economically stable local population per U.S. Census data.
Direct access to Atlanta via two dedicated MARTA rapid transit rail stations within city limits.
Abundant public parks and green spaces, including the expansive Peachtree Creek Greenway and Murphey Candler Park.
Highly rated local dining, craft breweries, and vibrant community festivals throughout the year.
Proximity to major employment hubs like Buckhead, Perimeter Center, and Midtown Atlanta.
Drawbacks
Housing purchase prices and rental rates are significantly higher than the U.S. national average per Zillow housing market indices.
Heavy rush-hour traffic congestion along major corridors such as Peachtree Road and around I-85 interchanges.
Elevated property taxes driven by rising real estate valuations across DeKalb County.
Limited large-scale industrial employment base, making the economy heavily service- and retail-dependent.
Competitive real estate market with low inventory for prospective first-time homebuyers.
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.
Brookhaven
#268Georgia, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
120
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
63.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
81
Business
75
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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