City Comparison
Brookhaven vs South Fulton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brookhaven scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brookhaven
South Fulton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
South Fulton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Brookhaven.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brookhaven's average rent is
26% higher than South Fulton's.
| Metric | Brookhaven | South Fulton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,550 | +26% |
| Groceries | $480 | $420 | +14% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,975 | $2,515 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 120 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Brookhaven offers 41% 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 $52,000 in South Fulton.
| Metric | Brookhaven | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,333 idx | 60,417 idx |
| Household Income | $105,400 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Brookhaven sees 1.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brookhaven | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.10°F | 63.00°F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | 86.70°F |
| Winter Low | 35.50°F | 35.30°F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | 47.60 in |
| Snowfall | 3.50 in | 2.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | 235 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Brookhaven has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to South Fulton.
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 | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
South Fulton is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Brookhaven.
From a growth perspective, South Fulton 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 | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,850 | 107,436 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| 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.
South Fulton
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain more affordable than in northern Atlanta suburbs per Zillow (2024)
Strategic proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport drives strong logistics and employment opportunities
Abundant suburban space and large residential lots offer room for families to grow
Rapidly developing commercial corridors bring new dining, retail, and entertainment options locally
Active community engagement and municipal leadership focused on sustainable local growth
Drawbacks
High car dependency and limited public transit options outside of major bus corridors
Commuting during peak hours along major arteries like I-85 and South Fulton Parkway can experience significant congestion
Property crime rates in certain commercial and residential pockets exceed national averages per FBI crime data
Walkability scores are generally low, requiring driving for most daily errands
Rapid development puts pressure on local infrastructure and traffic management
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
South Fulton
#360Georgia, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
235/yr
Avg Temp
63.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
72
Business
68
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