Athens GA vs Colorado Springs CO — 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%
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Colorado Springs
35.6
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Colorado Springs
7.4%
White
Athens
57.6%
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 483,099 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.6 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 7.4% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 72.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 26.2% | 5.8% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.0% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 18.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Colorado Springs
41.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $83,198 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $44,893 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,653 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.5% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 41.9% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $451,202 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 61.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Colorado Springs
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Colorado Springs
3234
| Metric | Athens, GA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 512 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3234 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Colorado Springs
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Colorado Springs
11.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 49.0°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 16.5 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 24.1 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, 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 512 in Colorado Springs. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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