Athens GA vs Cambridge 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%
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Cambridge
117,794
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Cambridge
30.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Cambridge
57.5%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Cambridge
10.5%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 117,794 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 30.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.6% | 57.5% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 10.5% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 8.9% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 12.4% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $1,041,988 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 33.7% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cambridge
21.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cambridge
5.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Cambridge
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cambridge
3.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cambridge
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cambridge
7.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 3.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cambridge, MA | 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
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cambridge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Cambridge
28.3 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 28.3 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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