Athens GA vs Charlotte 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%
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Charlotte
34.4
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Charlotte
41.5%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 886,283 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.4 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 18.1% | Charlotte + |
| White | 57.6% | 41.5% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 34.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 6.3% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 17.0% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Charlotte
47.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $78,438 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $49,991 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 11.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 47.4% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Charlotte
$399,070
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $399,070 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 51.5% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Charlotte
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Charlotte
1999
| Metric | Athens, GA | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Charlotte
10.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Charlotte
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Charlotte
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Charlotte
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Charlotte
11.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 59.9°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 41.6 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Charlotte
26.7 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 26.7 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, 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 Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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