Athens, Georgia
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Athens.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Athens?
Athens planning snapshot: population 128,691, housing index 88 (below the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $271,800, median rent $1,162, and income near $51,655. Expect 90°F summer highs, 36°F winter lows, and about 20-minute one-way commutes. Official citywide FBI crime rates are currently unavailable, so treat safety as a neighborhood-level check.
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 88U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $271,800U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,162U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $51,655U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.2%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 20 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- UnavailableFBI gap
- Summer high
- 90°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Athens compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 128,691City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $51,655Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year34% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 88ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year12% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $271,800City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year10% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,162City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year14% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.2%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 20 min20% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3229% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- UnavailableFBI CDE gap
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates - Property crime rate
- UnavailableFBI CDE gap
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates - Summer high
- 90°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals3.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 36°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals2.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 49 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals48% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 253As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Athens grew 10.8% from 116,102 in 2010 to 128,691 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Athens expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Athens runs 12 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 88 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $271,800 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,162 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Athens?
Budget first around $1,162/month rent or $271,800 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $271,800
- Median rent $1,162/month
- Median household income $51,655
What is the job market like in Athens?
Labor-market context for Athens: unemployment 3.2% and median income $51,655. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 3.2% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $51,655
How long is the typical commute in Athens?
Plan on roughly 20 minutes each way in Athens. Walk Score estimates around 32 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 20 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 32/100
Is Athens safer than similar U.S. cities?
Citywide FBI rates are marked unavailable here — do not infer safety from a placeholder index. Neighborhood due diligence is required.
- FBI citywide rates: data unavailable
What is the climate like year-round in Athens?
Athens's climate profile: 90°F summer peaks, 36°F winter mornings, 49" annual rainfall, and 253 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 90°F
- Winter low 36°F
- 49 in rain · 253 sunny days
Piedmont heat and a sprawling logistics/job belt shape commute realities. Expect summer highs near 90°F and winter lows around 36°F. Average one-way commute time is about 20 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 32/100. Labor-market readings near 3.2% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. Crime rates are marked unavailable for this municipality in our FBI CDE pull; do not rely on a citywide index.
Relocators eyeing Athens, Georgia will find roughly 128,691 residents within city limits. With median income around $51,655 and a cost index of 88, the market reads below the national housing-cost baseline. Budget for median rents around $1,162 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Athens is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Athens with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), 1600000US1303440) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Clarke County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: data unavailable — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00013873 ATHENS BEN EPPS AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10