City Comparison
Stonecrest vs Valdosta
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Stonecrest scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Stonecrest
Valdosta
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Valdosta is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Stonecrest.
Housing costs are a major driver: Stonecrest's average rent is
43% higher than Valdosta's.
| Metric | Stonecrest | Valdosta | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,150 | +43% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $160 | +9% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,020 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Stonecrest offers 23% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Stonecrest delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Stonecrest is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Valdosta.
| Metric | Stonecrest | Valdosta |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 59,091 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $46,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Valdosta runs warmer on average — a 5.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Valdosta comes out ahead with 21 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Valdosta sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Stonecrest | Valdosta |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.30°F | 68.70°F |
| Summer High | 87.30°F | 91.10°F |
| Winter Low | 36.20°F | 42.70°F |
| Rainfall | 44.00 in | 38.50 in |
| Snowfall | 3.20 in | 3.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 232 | 253 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Valdosta has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Stonecrest.
Stonecrest scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Valdosta leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Stonecrest | Valdosta |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Stonecrest is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Valdosta.
From a growth perspective, Stonecrest is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Stonecrest has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Stonecrest | Valdosta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,194 | 55,378 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 29.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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
Valdosta
Advantages
Median home prices in Valdosta are significantly lower than the national average per recent housing market data.
Valdosta State University provides robust educational and cultural amenities to the local community.
The city enjoys an abundance of sunny days with an average of 253 sunny days per year.
Strategic location along Interstate 75 offers convenient travel access to major hubs in Georgia and Florida.
Low overall cost of living index makes it an attractive destination for budget-conscious families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Summer temperatures and humidity levels can be quite intense during peak months.
Public transit infrastructure is limited, making car ownership a near-necessity.
Property crime rates in certain urban pockets are higher than the national median.
Average local salaries lag behind national benchmarks in several key service sectors.
Vulnerability to severe weather events, including tropical storms moving inland from the Gulf.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Valdosta
#442Georgia, USA
56.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
68.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
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