Athens GA vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Athens
57.6%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 57.6% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 26.2% | 14.4% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 4.2% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 9.2% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Athens +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $52,606 | Athens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 47.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 22.5 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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