Athens GA vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Gresham
112,818
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Gresham
37.2
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
White
Athens
57.6%
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Gresham
4.4%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 112,818 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 16.5% | Gresham + |
| White | 57.6% | 67.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 26.2% | 4.4% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 5.7% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 21.1% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Gresham
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Gresham
23.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $73,608 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $35,390 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,691 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.3% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 23.6% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Gresham
$472,119
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $472,119 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 56.1% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Gresham
3001
| Metric | Athens, GA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 355 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3001 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Gresham
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Gresham
11.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Gresham
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Gresham
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Gresham
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Gresham
15.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Gresham, OR | 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
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Gresham
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Gresham
28.8 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 28.8 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³).
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