Athens GA vs Concord NC — 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%
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Concord
106,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Concord
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Concord
36.2
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Concord
54.7%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Concord
22.1%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Concord
15.8%
Concord +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Concord
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 106,518 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 12.5% | Concord + |
| White | 57.6% | 54.7% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 22.1% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 6.7% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 15.8% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Concord
$59,120
Concord +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Concord
41.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $84,752 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $40,763 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Concord + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.8% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 8.6% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 41.7% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Concord
$384,688
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $384,688 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 66.4% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Concord
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Concord
1999
| Metric | Athens, GA | Concord, NC | 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
Concord
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Concord
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Concord
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Concord
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Concord
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Concord
12.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Concord
60.4°F
Concord +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Concord
45.9 in
Concord +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 60.4°F | Concord + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.9 in | Concord + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Concord +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Concord
75.0%
Concord +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Concord + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Concord
29.7 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 29.7 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, 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 398 in Concord. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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