City Comparison
Brookhaven vs Stonecrest
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brookhaven scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brookhaven
Stonecrest
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Stonecrest 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
18% higher than Stonecrest's.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Stonecrest | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,650 | +18% |
| Groceries | $480 | $420 | +14% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,975 | $2,615 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 120 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Brookhaven offers 28% 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 Stonecrest.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Stonecrest |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,333 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $105,400 | $65,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Brookhaven sees 0.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Stonecrest |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.10°F | 63.30°F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | 87.30°F |
| Winter Low | 35.50°F | 36.20°F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | 44.00 in |
| Snowfall | 3.50 in | 3.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | 232 |
| 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 Stonecrest.
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 | Stonecrest |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Stonecrest is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Brookhaven.
From a growth perspective, Brookhaven 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 | Stonecrest |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,850 | 59,194 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 39.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.20% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Brookhaven and Stonecrest.
Open Cost Calculator