Athens GA vs High Point NC — 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
High Point
46.1%
Black
Athens
26.2%
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 115,263 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.8 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 57.6% | 46.1% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 32.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 12.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
High Point
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
High Point
33.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $61,228 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $34,492 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.6% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 33.9% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Athens, GA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $251,699 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
High Point
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
High Point
1999
| Metric | Athens, GA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
High Point
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
High Point
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
High Point
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
High Point
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
High Point
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
High Point
14.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
| Metric | Athens, GA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 60.6°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 46.1 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
| Metric | Athens, GA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
High Point
22.7 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 22.7 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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