Athens GA vs Cleveland 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%
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Cleveland
36.3
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Cleveland
6.1%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Cleveland
36.7%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Cleveland
2.3%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 367,523 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.3 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 6.1% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 36.7% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 46.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.3% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 12.8% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Athens +
Cleveland
$39,187
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Cleveland
$27,078
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Cleveland
11.5%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Athens +
Cleveland
30.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Cleveland
21.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $39,187 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $27,078 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,300 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 11.5% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 30.8% | Athens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 21.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Cleveland
41.2%
Cleveland +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $117,703 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 41.2% | Cleveland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Cleveland
1866
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1866 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cleveland
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cleveland
17.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Cleveland
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cleveland
13.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cleveland
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cleveland
21.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 52.7°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 36.4 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Athens +
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Cleveland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cleveland, 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 +
Cleveland
24.3 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 24.3 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens leads in median household income at $51,655, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland 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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