Athens GA vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Athens
57.6%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Cary
7.6%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 176,686 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 39.8 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 57.6% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 26.2% | 7.6% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 9.3% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $629,864 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Cary
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Cary
1999
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cary
25.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cary
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Cary
12.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cary
6.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cary
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cary
7.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Cary
46.3 in
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 59.4°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 46.3 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Cary
24.3 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 24.3 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, 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 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cary has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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