Athens GA vs Bellevue WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Bellevue
151,199
Bellevue +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Bellevue
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Bellevue
38.3
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Bellevue
45.0%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Bellevue
2.2%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Bellevue
8.5%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Bellevue
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 151,199 | Bellevue + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.3 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 42.1% | Bellevue + |
| White | 57.6% | 45.0% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 2.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 41.0% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 8.5% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $161,300 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $92,441 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.0% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 7.3% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 71.4% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Bellevue
51.9%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $1,527,243 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 51.9% | Bellevue + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Bellevue
3409
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bellevue
18.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bellevue
6.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Bellevue
12.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bellevue
5.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bellevue
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bellevue
5.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Bellevue
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Bellevue
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Bellevue
75.0%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bellevue + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Bellevue
25.6 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 25.6 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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