Athens GA vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 57.6% | 49.2% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 11.9% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.2% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 27.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $426,069 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Athens, GA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 460 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2417 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 67.4°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 27.7 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³).
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