Athens GA vs Boca Raton FL — 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%
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Boca Raton
98,833
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Boca Raton
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Boca Raton
45.8
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
White
Athens
57.6%
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Boca Raton
5.7%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Boca Raton
3.0%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Boca Raton
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 98,833 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 45.8 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 20.0% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 57.6% | 77.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 26.2% | 5.7% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.0% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 15.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Boca Raton
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $102,722 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $72,542 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 9.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 60.4% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Boca Raton
$562,670
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $562,670 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 65.8% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Boca Raton
23.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Boca Raton
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Boca Raton
14.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Boca Raton
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Boca Raton
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Boca Raton
8.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Boca Raton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Boca Raton
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boca Raton, FL | 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
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Boca Raton
75.0%
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boca Raton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Boca Raton
23.4 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 23.4 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Athens, GA vs New York, NYAthens, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAthens, GA vs Chicago, ILAthens, GA vs Houston, TXAthens, GA vs Phoenix, AZAthens, GA vs Philadelphia, PA