Quick answer
Georgia is the lower-cost option on housing: the median home value across the app's top-scoring places is $336,800 versus $547,300. New York shows +0.2% population change and Georgia +2.4%. Neither is "better" for everyone — the right answer depends on your income, job, commute and the exact county you choose.
| Metric | New York | Georgia | Atlanta, GA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $547,300 | $336,800 | $420,600 |
| Median rent | $2,115/mo | $1,680/mo | $1,617/mo |
| Household income | $142,413 | $95,488 | $81,938 |
| Population change | +0.2% | +2.4% | +0.9% |
| Violent crime / 100k (state) | 368 | 301 | 301 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.8× | 3.5× | 5.1× |
| State wage income tax | Yes | Yes | Yes |
New York in numbers
Median home value
$547,300
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$2,115/mo
Household income
$142,413
Violent crime / 100k
368
New York, 2025
Population change
+0.2%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+5.0%
State wage income tax
Yes
Home value ÷ income
3.8×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niskayuna, NY | 88 | $326,600 | $1,528 | $128,346 | +0.7% |
| Commack, NY | 77 | $647,000 | $2,396 | $170,375 | +1.6% |
| Merrick, NY | 77 | $715,700 | $2,756 | $179,415 | +3.9% |
| Rotterdam, NY | 76 | $203,700 | $1,212 | $81,830 | +0.6% |
| Dix Hills, NY | 74 | $891,400 | $2,804 | $219,636 | +1.6% |
| Huntington, NY | 72 | $733,000 | $2,347 | $162,066 | +2.6% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saratoga County | 76 | $324,800 | $1,347 | $99,653 | +0.3% |
| Putnam County | 72 | $448,000 | $1,824 | $127,405 | +0.0% |
| Suffolk County | 70 | $539,500 | $2,190 | $128,329 | +0.1% |
| Wayne County | 70 | $163,400 | $929 | $73,914 | -0.2% |
| Ontario County | 68 | $202,900 | $1,126 | $79,814 | +0.1% |
| Otsego County | 65 | $175,900 | $942 | $67,086 | +0.1% |
Georgia in numbers
Median home value
$336,800
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,680/mo
Household income
$95,488
Violent crime / 100k
301
Georgia, 2025
Population change
+2.4%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+11.0%
State wage income tax
Yes
Home value ÷ income
3.5×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodstock, GA | 84 | $387,300 | $1,735 | $105,396 | +3.2% |
| Perry, GA | 78 | $209,300 | $1,105 | $81,648 | +4.5% |
| Snellville, GA | 74 | $293,400 | $1,794 | $88,378 | +1.5% |
| Sugar Hill, GA | 71 | $375,900 | $1,738 | $99,479 | +1.4% |
| Newnan, GA | 69 | $327,800 | $1,391 | $80,299 | +1.9% |
| Pooler, GA | 69 | $289,000 | $1,625 | $91,497 | +3.7% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forsyth County | 79 | $493,800 | $1,937 | $138,000 | +2.7% |
| Cherokee County | 75 | $389,800 | $1,703 | $105,442 | +2.2% |
| Jackson County | 74 | $312,700 | $1,048 | $85,012 | +4.7% |
| Lamar County | 74 | $201,400 | $913 | $68,457 | +2.3% |
| Habersham County | 73 | $212,000 | $939 | $65,622 | +1.3% |
| Lee County | 73 | $226,900 | $1,147 | $88,024 | +1.1% |
Verdict factors to check before you decide
- 1Compare take-home pay after state income tax in both places.
- 2Price the whole address: taxes, insurance, utilities and HOA, not just the listing.
- 3Confirm the exact city, county and school assignment for the address.
- 4Drive the commute at the hours you will actually travel.
- 5Check flood, heat and storm exposure on official maps.
- 6Compare crime at the jurisdiction level, then visit at night.
- 7Line up a job or client base before you sign a lease.
Frequently asked questions
Moving From New York to Atlanta in 2027?
Georgia is the lower-cost option on housing: the median home value across the app's top-scoring places is $336,800 versus $547,300. New York shows +0.2% population change and Georgia +2.4%. Neither is "better" for everyone — the right answer depends on your income, job, commute and the exact county you choose.
What are the best places to live in New York?
In the Smart Movers Club app, the top-scoring New York cities are Niskayuna, Commack, Merrick, Rotterdam, Dix Hills, and the top counties are Saratoga County, Putnam County, Suffolk County, Wayne County. Scores combine income, housing, growth, employment and education.
Does New York have a state income tax?
Yes, New York taxes wage income. Check the state revenue department for current rates and compare property and sales taxes too.
Where does this data come from?
Figures come from the Smart Movers Club app, which compiles U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates and FBI state crime rates. Census figures are survey estimates, not live listing prices.
