Athens GA vs Berkeley CA — 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%
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Berkeley
120,223
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Berkeley
32.9
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Berkeley
54.8%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Berkeley
7.4%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 120,223 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 32.9 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 21.3% | Berkeley + |
| White | 57.6% | 54.8% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 7.4% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 20.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 12.1% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Berkeley
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $108,558 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $66,936 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.0% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 16.8% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $1,451,222 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 43.3% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Berkeley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Berkeley
2388
| Metric | Athens, GA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Berkeley
22.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Berkeley
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Berkeley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Berkeley
6.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Berkeley
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Berkeley
8.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 58.1°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 26.7 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Berkeley
32.2 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 32.2 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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