Athens GA vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Athens
57.6%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Gainesville
21.6%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 57.6% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 26.2% | 21.6% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Athens +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Athens +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $45,611 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $30,282 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 28.0% | Athens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 38.5% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Gainesville
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Gainesville
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Gainesville
11.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 68.9°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 47.3 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens leads in median household income at $51,655, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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