Athens GA vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Columbia
29.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Athens
57.6%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Columbia
12.1%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 127,200 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 29.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 8.1% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 26.2% | 12.1% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 4.3% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Columbia
$58,527
Columbia +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $64,488 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $37,359 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,527 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 20.0% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 49.4% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 501 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2418 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Columbia
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Columbia
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Columbia
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Columbia
46.3 in
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 56.0°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 46.3 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Columbia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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