Athens GA vs Eden Prairie MN — 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%
Eden Prairie, MN
Minnesota · Population: 63,249
- Median HH Income$127,732
- Median Home Price$505,908
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Eden Prairie
63,249
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Eden Prairie
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Eden Prairie
40.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Eden Prairie
16.6%
Eden Prairie +
White
Athens
57.6%
Eden Prairie
69.5%
Eden Prairie +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Eden Prairie
7.1%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Eden Prairie
13.6%
Eden Prairie +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Eden Prairie
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Eden Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 63,249 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 40.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 16.6% | Eden Prairie + |
| White | 57.6% | 69.5% | Eden Prairie + |
| Black | 26.2% | 7.1% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 13.6% | Eden Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 5.1% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Eden Prairie
$127,732
Eden Prairie +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Eden Prairie
$70,228
Eden Prairie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Eden Prairie
$69,467
Eden Prairie +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Eden Prairie
3.3%
Eden Prairie +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Eden Prairie
6.0%
Eden Prairie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Eden Prairie
64.7%
Eden Prairie +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $127,732 | Eden Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $70,228 | Eden Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,467 | Eden Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.3% | Eden Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 6.0% | Eden Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 64.7% | Eden Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Eden Prairie
$505,908
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Eden Prairie
75.6%
Eden Prairie +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $505,908 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 75.6% | Eden Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Eden Prairie
284
Eden Prairie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Eden Prairie
1992
| Metric | Athens, GA | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 284 | Eden Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1992 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Eden Prairie
24.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Eden Prairie
7.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Eden Prairie
12.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Eden Prairie
5.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Eden Prairie
18.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Eden Prairie
9.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Eden Prairie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Eden Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Eden Prairie
8.1 µg/m³
Eden Prairie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Eden Prairie
75.0%
Eden Prairie +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Eden Prairie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Eden Prairie + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Eden Prairie
23.7 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 23.7 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eden Prairie leads in median household income at $127,732, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Eden Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Eden Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Eden Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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