Athens GA vs Dearborn MI — 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%
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Dearborn
107,846
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Dearborn
32.6
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
White
Athens
57.6%
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Dearborn
3.3%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Dearborn
2.0%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Dearborn
3.0%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 107,846 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 32.6 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 29.4% | Dearborn + |
| White | 57.6% | 88.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 26.2% | 3.3% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.0% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 3.0% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Dearborn
$29,900
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Dearborn
$58,052
Dearborn +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Dearborn
6.8%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Dearborn
24.3%
Dearborn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Dearborn
34.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $65,192 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $29,900 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Dearborn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.8% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 24.3% | Dearborn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 34.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $248,262 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 68.2% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Dearborn
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Dearborn
33.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Dearborn
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Dearborn
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Dearborn
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Dearborn
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Dearborn
18.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 50.1°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 33.9 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Athens +
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Dearborn
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Athens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Dearborn
22.8 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 22.8 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Athens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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