Athens GA vs Charleston SC — 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%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Charleston
36.1
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Athens
57.6%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Charleston
17.4%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 152,014 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.1 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 5.4% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 26.2% | 17.4% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.2% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 5.9% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Athens +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $90,038 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $54,550 | Athens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $593,739 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 55.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Athens, GA | Charleston, SC | 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
Charleston
28.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Charleston
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Charleston
15.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Charleston
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Charleston
9.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 65.9°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 51.0 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Charleston
25.4 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 25.4 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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