Athens GA vs Columbia SC — 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, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 138,019 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 5.1% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 49.9% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.7% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 5.7% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Athens +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Columbia
46.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $55,653 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $54,550 | Athens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.6% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 23.3% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 46.1% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 47.3% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Columbia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Columbia
1999
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbia, SC | 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
Columbia
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Columbia
13.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Columbia
46.3 in
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 66.7°F | Athens + |
| 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
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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