Athens GA vs Downey CA — 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%
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Downey
114,617
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Downey
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Downey
34.0
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Downey
21.0%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Downey
0.4%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Downey
1.5%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Downey
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 114,617 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.0 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 39.4% | Downey + |
| White | 57.6% | 21.0% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 0.4% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.5% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 95.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Downey
$23,265
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Downey
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Downey
10.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $68,378 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $23,265 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.0% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 16.6% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 10.6% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Downey
$888,820
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
Downey
33.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $888,820 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 33.7% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Downey
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Downey
2388
| Metric | Athens, GA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Downey
27.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Downey
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Downey
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Downey
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Downey
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Downey
9.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Downey
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 14.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Downey
33.1 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 33.1 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, 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 503 in Downey. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Athens, GA vs New York, NYAthens, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAthens, GA vs Chicago, ILAthens, GA vs Houston, TXAthens, GA vs Phoenix, AZAthens, GA vs Philadelphia, PA