Athens GA vs Detroit 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.1 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 5.9% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 11.7% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.6% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 8.0% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Athens +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Athens +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $39,575 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $24,029 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 14.1% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 31.5% | Athens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 17.6% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 49.7% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Detroit
11.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 45.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 22.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 50.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Athens +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Detroit, 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 +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 27.3 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens leads in median household income at $51,655, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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