Athens GA vs Brockton 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%
Brockton, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 105,080
- Median HH Income$77,089
- Median Home Price$506,468
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Brockton
105,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Brockton
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Brockton
36.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Brockton
29.2%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Brockton
2.2%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Brockton
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 105,080 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 32.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 57.6% | 29.2% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 38.3% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.2% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 12.9% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Brockton
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Brockton
21.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $77,089 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $35,524 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 8.3% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 13.9% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 21.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Brockton
$506,468
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $506,468 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 57.0% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Brockton
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Brockton
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Brockton
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Brockton
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Brockton
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Brockton
17.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Brockton
49.9 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 49.2°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 49.9 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Brockton
34.1 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 34.1 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Brockton 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 Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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