Athens GA vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Kansas City
34.0
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 154,776 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.0 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.6% | 44.0% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 20.4% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Kansas City
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $59,183 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $28,059 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.5% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 20.2% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Athens, GA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 449 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2174 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Kansas City
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Kansas City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 23.7 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 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