Athens GA vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Lansing
33.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Lansing
56.1%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 112,546 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 57.6% | 56.1% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 23.4% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $52,170 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $29,894 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 8.1% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 29.6% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lansing
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Athens +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Athens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Athens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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