Athens GA vs Boulder CO — 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%
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
White
Athens
57.6%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Boulder
11.2%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 106,274 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 10.2% | Boulder + |
| White | 57.6% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 26.2% | 1.1% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 5.8% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 11.2% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Boulder
21.8%
Boulder +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $85,364 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $59,450 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.1% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 21.8% | Boulder + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $970,905 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 47.9% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 512 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3234 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Boulder
16.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Boulder
5.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Boulder
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Boulder
8.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Boulder
9.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 51.6°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 20.7 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 21.0 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 Boulder. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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