Athens GA vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 42.9 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 57.6% | 51.3% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.6% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.3% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 39.8% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $510,297 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 75.5°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 66.5 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 28.5 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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