Athens GA vs Burlington VT — 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%
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Burlington
44,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Burlington
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Burlington
7.2%
White
Athens
57.6%
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Burlington
3.7%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Burlington
3.7%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Burlington
3.3%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Burlington
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 44,649 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 26.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 7.2% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 85.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 26.2% | 3.7% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.7% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 3.3% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Burlington
23.0%
Burlington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $68,854 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $39,027 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,829 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.6% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 23.0% | Burlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 60.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Burlington
$510,361
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
Burlington
39.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $510,361 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 39.8% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 224 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1714 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Burlington
23.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Burlington
5.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Burlington
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Burlington
6.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Burlington
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Burlington
9.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 46.0°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 36.8 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Burlington
75.0%
Burlington +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Burlington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 20.6 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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