Athens GA vs Flint 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Flint
2.9%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 80,835 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 2.9% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 34.4% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 0.6% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 4.5% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Athens +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Athens +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $36,194 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $20,799 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 17.4% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 34.4% | Athens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 13.1% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Flint
12.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 50.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 23.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Athens +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Flint
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Flint, 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 +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 25.0 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens leads in median household income at $51,655, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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