Athens GA vs Grand Rapids 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Grand Rapids
32.1
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Athens
57.6%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 32.1 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 57.6% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 26.2% | 17.9% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.9% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 40.1% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Athens +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Grand Rapids, 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
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Athens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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