Albany GA vs Athens GA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Athens
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
White
Albany
18.9%
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Athens
26.2%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 126,987 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 29.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 9.8% | Athens + |
| White | 18.9% | 57.6% | Athens + |
| Black | 76.3% | 26.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 4.3% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 11.5% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Athens
$51,655
Athens +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Athens
$57,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Athens
26.3%
Athens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $51,655 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $31,836 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.2% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 26.3% | Athens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 48.7% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Athens
$341,821
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $341,821 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 40.5% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Athens
392
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Athens
1752
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 392 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1752 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Athens
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Athens
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Athens
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Athens
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Athens
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 62.6°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 46.3 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Athens
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Athens
22.3 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens leads in median household income at $51,655, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Athens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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