Grew up outside Portland, went to UW, lived in Tacoma for years. Thought about it when we retired, ended up in Peachtree.
I'd take the wife, visit both, go with a gut feel. If you're trying for something semi-scientific, compare some houses on Zillow. The kind of house/schools we wanted were significantly more expensive everywhere we looked in Pac NW.
Biggest factors for me, housing cost, traffic, fact that Atlanta "can't" close. Also, wife said she wanted PTC.
Good news is you can't go wrong with either.