Athens GA vs Cincinnati OH — 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%
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Cincinnati
33.0
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Cincinnati
7.1%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Cincinnati
49.4%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Cincinnati
2.8%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Cincinnati
5.4%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 309,595 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.0 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 7.1% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 49.4% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 38.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.8% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 5.4% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Cincinnati
6.8%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Cincinnati
24.5%
Cincinnati +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Cincinnati
41.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $51,707 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $38,878 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,300 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.8% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 24.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 41.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
Cincinnati
38.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $252,784 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 38.9% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Cincinnati
1866
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1866 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cincinnati
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cincinnati
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Cincinnati
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cincinnati
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cincinnati
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cincinnati
16.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Cincinnati
47.7 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 54.2°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 47.7 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Athens +
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Cincinnati
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Athens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Cincinnati
24.8 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 24.8 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Athens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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