Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Athens
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Athens
57.6%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Athens
11.5%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 126,987 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 29.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 9.8% | Athens + |
| White | 82.8% | 57.6% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 26.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.3% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 11.5% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Athens
$51,655
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Athens
$31,836
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Athens
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Athens
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Athens
26.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Athens
48.7%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $51,655 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $31,836 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $57,405 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.2% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 26.3% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 48.7% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Athens
40.5%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $341,821 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 40.5% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Athens
392
Athens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Athens
1752
Athens +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 392 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1752 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Athens
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Athens
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Athens
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Athens
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Athens
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Athens
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Athens
46.3 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
Athens
55.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 22.3 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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