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Atlanta vs Miami? ✈️ Find Out if Atlanta or Miami Is the Better City for You
Miami and Atlanta are both amazing cities in the South with their own culture, history, and charm. But, which city center is better: Atlanta vs Miami? Both places have so much diversity and plenty to offer the residents living in these cities. However, if you're considering moving to Miami or moving to Atlanta, you should know exactly what that entails in terms of the money required, population size, crime rates, and more.
They’re also two of the largest metro areas on the East Coast, with tons to offer millennials, singles, professionals, and families. Do you crave a city with fun nightlife and something always on the horizon? Do you want a comfortable and affordable place to settle down with lots of amenities?
Here’s an in-depth comparison of Atlanta vs Miami complete with a cost of living comparison and important benefits and drawbacks to consider.
Atlanta vs Miami both have so much to offer, but which is best for the lifestyle you want? Whether you’re after attractions, nightlife, jobs, or family-friendly neighborhoods, here’s how to find out if Atlanta or Miami is better for you.
Living in Atlanta Benefits
Atlanta Has a Great Jobs Market
Is it worth moving to Atlanta, Georgia? While job growth has slowed across the United States since 2018, that’s not true in Atlanta. One of the pluses of living in Atlanta is astrong and growing economy with so much diversity. Atlanta is home to many universities and several Fortune 500 companies like Delta Airlines, UPS, and Home Depot with plenty of opportunities in retail, manufacturing, tourism, and more. Atlanta’s economy has been outpacing the national average for years with no sign of slowing down.
When you compare Atlanta vs Miami, you’ll notice Miami has a tighter job market. To get into a new career, you’ll likely require more training than you would in other cities to compete. While many companies are hiring in Florida, Miami is also a city dominated by the tourism industry with more limited job options.
There Are Tons of Amazing Atlanta Neighborhoods with Character
One of the great perks of living in Atlanta is its range of charming and exciting neighborhoods. Atlanta is home to several historic districts and neighborhoods within walking distance of top attractions, dining, and shopping. Living in Midtown is one of the city's most desirable neighborhoods. The arts district of Atlanta, it boasts historic buildings, theaters, and museums with luxury high-rises and a strong sense of community. Living in Morningside offers more outdoor recreation with great walkability, parks, a farmer’s market, and a community garden.
While Miami also has great neighborhoods to explore and its own historic district, it can’t quite compare to the diversity, excitement, history, and urban lifestyle that Atlanta delivers.
Atlanta Is Family-Friendly, With Tons of Attractions
Miami definitely has a lot to offer, but the city is more known for its nightlife and adult-oriented attractions than for family-friendly things to do. When you look at Atlanta compared to Miami, you’ll discover Atlanta really has it all. Atlanta offers a good balance of nightlife and attractions for singles and young couples, as well as resources, services, and attractions that make it easier and more fun to raise a family.
One of the benefits of living in Atlanta is the city’s amazing parks.Centennial Olympic Park, located in downtown Atlanta next to the Georgia Aquarium, is the centerpiece of the city’s entertainment district. There are playgrounds, a garden, the Quilt Plaza, and the iconic Fountain of Rings.
Piedmont Park, another picturesque urban park in Atlanta, is located outside of downtown and close to Midtown. The park has a community garden, playgrounds, dog parks, a pool and aquatics center, and sports fields.
If that isn’t enough, Atlanta is also home to other fun attractions, making it a great place to live. Spend a day with the kids at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, Zoo Atlanta, or the Georgia Aquarium. You can also enjoy the beautiful outdoors at the Atlanta Botanical Garden or explore civil rights landmarks like theMartin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park.
Living in Atlanta Cons
Poor Public Transportation in Atlanta
The biggest drawback of living in Atlanta? Urban sprawl combined with poor public transportation. Atlanta isn’t a very walkable city aside from some neighborhoods. You’ll definitely need a car while living in the city asAtlanta public transportation isn’t the best.
MARTA does not reach many of the metro areas, and stations are very spread out. With a metro area that expands 50 miles in every direction and encompasses over 8,000 square miles, it’s no surprise that Atlanta is generally ranked as having the worst traffic in the U.S.
That isn’t to say Miami fares much worse or better. When you compare Atlanta vs Miami public transportation, you’ll findMiami is little better, although it has a combination of the Metrobus, Metromover, Metrorail, and trolleys that give it a high score for accessibility.
Living in Miami Pros
Exciting Nightlife in Miami
If there’s one thing Miami is known for, it’s its nightlife. Is Miami one of the best cities in the world? Maybe! Miami’s South Beach is a mecca for late-night partiers with dance clubs, megaclubs, cocktail lounges, dive bars, and more. Miami boasts a diverse nightlife scene with something for everyone.
Want to party until the sun comes up on the beach? Hit the most hopping rooftop bars? Go salsa dancing? One of the biggest advantages of living in Miami is you can do it all, every night if you want! Miami is often compared to Panama City and is sometimes even called the United States version of Panama City! If you like shopping, dancing, and more, you'll love Miami.
Miami’s Culinary Scene
Miami’s known for its award-winning Cuban food and you’ll certainly fall in love with it. That’s not all the city has to offer, though! One of the perks of living in Miami is its amazing international cuisine. You’ll see a lot of Caribbean and Latin American influences in the Miami culinary scene but there’s a lot more to discover, like Hutong, an upscale Hong Kong-style restaurant, and Osaka with its Peruvian Japanese fusion. Enjoy fresh seafood at the waterfront, grab sushi, or meet up with friends for Spanish tapas.
Living in Miami Cons
Miami Weather and Hurricanes
There’s no denying that living in Miami has its pros and cons. Miami is one of the top U.S. cities for hurricanes, with a 16% chance of a hurricane in any given year. Miami is alsomostly unprotected from hurricanes, with homes at risk of storm surges and high winds. When you look at Atlanta in comparison to Miami, don’t forget to consider this very real threat.
High Crime Rate in Miami
Miami, Florida, reported 15,566 crimes, equating to a crime rate of approximately 34.14 per 1,000 residents. This includes 2,228 violent crimes—such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault—and 13,338 property crimes, including burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft. The likelihood of becoming a victim of violent crime in Miami is about 1 in 205, while for property crime, it's approximately 1 in 34. Notably, Miami has one of the highest rates of motor vehicle theft in the nation, with a 1 in 215 chance of residents experiencing vehicle theft.
Cost of Living in Atlanta vs Miami
What is the cost of living in Atlanta compared to Miami? Is Miami or Atlanta more affordable? According toNumbeo, you would need $8,245 in Miami for the same quality of living you’d get for $6,900 in Atlanta. Atlanta is far more affordable than Miami, especially when it comes to rent and food. Here’s how it breaks down:
Rent is 61% higher in Miami than in Atlanta
Restaurant prices are 12.2% higher in Atlanta compared to Miami
Groceries are 16% lower in Miami thanin Atlanta
Local purchasing power is 40% lower in Miami vs Atlanta
One of the biggest factors you’ll want to consider when deciding where to live is housing costs. At first glance, the two cities don’t seem far apart. The median sale price of a home in Miami is $62750,500 compared to the median sale price of a home in Atlanta of $375,940. However, Miami has a median household income of just $59,390 compared to $81,938 in Atlanta. A perk of living in Atlanta is you can earn more while enjoying a lower cost of living.
Is Miami or Atlanta Bigger?
Atlanta Population vs Miami Population
Miami and Atlanta are fairly similar in terms of population. The Atlanta population is 510,823. The Miami population is 455,924.
Is Miami Bigger Than Atlanta?
Up until 2021, Miami was bigger than Atlanta. However, Atlanta has grown to be bigger than Miami. The Greater Miami Area is home to a population of 6.2 million people and stretches 120 miles north to south, covering 6,137 square miles. Over the past five years, the Atlanta metro population has risen to 6.3 million, bypassing Miami.
The median age in Miami is 39.7, whereas the median age in Atlanta is 33.6. If you want a younger median age in the city, Atlanta is for you.
Crime in Atlanta vs Miami
Both Atlanta and Miami are considered fairly high-crime cities. The crime rate in Atlanta is a bit higher than in Miami; however, there aremany safe neighborhoods in Atlanta. In Miami, many of the areas you’ll want to frequent, including South Beach, are the most dangerous.
Atlanta’s high-crime areas are mostly neighborhoods, particularly southwest of the I-85 and I-20 interchange. About 80% of the crime in Atlanta is gang-related and easy to avoid by staying away from these neighborhoods. Midtown, the east side, and most of the suburbs are considered very safe.
Atlanta vs Miami Traffic
Traffic is one of the biggest complaints among people in both Atlanta and Miami. However, this is one big area where Atlanta loses when you compare Atlanta vs Miami. Atlanta recently ranked 10th forworst traffic in the U.S. On average, drivers in Atlanta lose 53 hours per year to congestion at a cost of $820. Miami isn’t any better, with 105 hours lost to traffic every year.
Sports in Atlanta vs Miami
Both Atlanta and Miami boast thriving sports scenes, but they differ in focus, fan culture, and the kinds of teams they attract. Here are some key differences between the Atlanta vs Miami sports:
Atlanta Sports:
Atlanta is a hub for professional sports and has passionate fans across multiple leagues. The city is home to:
Atlanta Falcons (NFL): Known for their loyal fanbase and exciting games at the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta Braves (MLB): A historic franchise with a strong tradition, the Braves have won multiple World Series titles, including a recent victory in 2021.
Atlanta Hawks (NBA): Basketball fans love the Hawks for their dynamic players and vibrant game-day atmosphere at State Farm Arena.
Atlanta United FC (MLS): Soccer is huge in Atlanta, with record-setting attendance for Major League Soccer games.
The city also hosts major sporting events, including college football's Peach Bowl and SEC Championship, making it a top destination for sports enthusiasts.
Miami Sports:
Miami brings a mix of tropical energy and star-studded teams to the sports world. The city is home to:
Miami Dolphins (NFL): A legacy team with a strong following, the Dolphins are a staple of South Florida football.
Miami Heat (NBA): Known for their success, including three NBA championships, the Heat are a cornerstone of Miami's sports culture.
Miami Marlins (MLB): While the Marlins have had an up-and-down history, they’ve captured two World Series titles.
Inter Miami CF (MLS): Soccer fever is growing in Miami, especially with global superstar Lionel Messi joining the team in 2023.
Miami also has a strong connection to college sports, with the University of Miami Hurricanes being a powerhouse in football and baseball.
Atlanta GA to Miami FL Distance
How far is Atlanta from Miami? If you want to enjoy everything Miami, Florida has to offer while living in Atlanta, the drive fromAtlanta, GA to Miami, FL is 663 miles or 9 hours and 45 minutes.
These two Southern cities have so much to offer. Which sounds better: the culture, attractions, and great neighborhoods of Atlanta or the excitement and amazing cuisine of Miami?
Relocate to Atlanta With Wirks Moving
If you have settled on beautiful Atlanta vs Miami, call the award-winning Atlanta movers and Marietta movers at Wirks Moving & Storage today at 404-635-6683. Our friendly team will provide you with a free moving quote, or fill out our form online. We’ll help you relocate to Atlanta without the stress!
Eric Wirks
Eric Wirks started out in the moving industry over 16 years ago and after gaining in depth expertise in all industry related areas, went on to found Wirks Moving & Storage in 2009. Under Eric’s expert tutelage Wirks Moving & Storage has since serviced over 10,000 moves and kept their customers very happy, proven by a 98% customer referral rate.
