Athens GA vs Kansas City MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Athens
57.6%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Kansas City
25.8%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.7 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 8.5% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 26.2% | 25.8% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.7% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Kansas City
37.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 37.8% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Athens, GA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 501 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2418 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Kansas City
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Kansas City
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 54.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 38.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 23.4 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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