Athens GA vs Irving TX — 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%
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Irving
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Irving
32.8
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Irving
36.7%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Irving
12.9%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 255,036 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 32.8 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 41.9% | Irving + |
| White | 57.6% | 36.7% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 12.9% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 22.6% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 43.0% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Irving
$63,758
Irving +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Irving
41.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $79,641 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $39,462 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Irving + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.3% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 11.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 41.6% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Irving
$344,888
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
Irving
38.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $344,888 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 38.3% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Irving
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Irving
2339
| Metric | Athens, GA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Irving
31.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Irving
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Irving
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Irving
20.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Irving
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Irving
11.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Irving
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Irving, TX | 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
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Irving +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Irving
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Irving + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Irving
26.0 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 26.0 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Irving. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Irving has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Athens, GA vs New York, NYAthens, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAthens, GA vs Chicago, ILAthens, GA vs Houston, TXAthens, GA vs Phoenix, AZAthens, GA vs Philadelphia, PA