Athens GA vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Hartford
33.4
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 119,970 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.4 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 57.6% | 26.4% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.3% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Athens +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Hartford
25.5%
Hartford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $45,300 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $27,319 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 10.6% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 25.5% | Hartford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 18.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 25.8% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Hartford
13.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.9 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 24.4 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens leads in median household income at $51,655, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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