Athens GA vs Columbus 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Columbus
33.0
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Columbus
53.3%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Columbus
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.0 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 57.6% | 53.3% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 7.9% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Columbus
38.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $65,327 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $37,189 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,300 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 17.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 38.2% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $248,749 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 44.3% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Columbus
1866
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1866 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Columbus
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Columbus
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Columbus
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Columbus
15.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 40.2 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Athens +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbus, 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 +
Columbus
23.4 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 23.4 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Athens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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