Athens GA vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.4 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 57.6% | 51.2% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 31.9% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Jacksonville
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 70.2°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 50.0 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 26.0 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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