Athens GA vs Boston MA — 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%
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Boston
33.2
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Boston
47.8%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Boston
21.5%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 663,972 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 27.5% | Boston + |
| White | 57.6% | 47.8% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 21.5% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 10.0% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 18.9% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Boston
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Boston
16.9%
Boston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $94,755 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $60,001 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.0% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 16.9% | Boston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 54.1% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Boston
$793,154
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $793,154 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 35.4% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Boston
326
Boston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Boston
23.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Boston
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Boston
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Boston
6.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Boston
10.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Boston
43.8 in
Boston +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 51.5°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 43.8 in | Boston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Boston
75.0%
Boston +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 33.1 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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