Athens GA vs Livonia 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%
Livonia, MI
Michigan · Population: 94,058
- Median HH Income$96,317
- Median Home Price$314,705
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Livonia
94,058
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Livonia
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Livonia
45.1
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Livonia
8.2%
White
Athens
57.6%
Livonia
84.4%
Livonia +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Livonia
4.4%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Livonia
3.7%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Livonia
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 94,058 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 45.1 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 8.2% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 84.4% | Livonia + |
| Black | 26.2% | 4.4% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.7% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 4.5% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Livonia
$96,317
Livonia +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Livonia
$46,588
Livonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Livonia
$58,052
Livonia +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Livonia
4.5%
Livonia +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Livonia
40.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $96,317 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $46,588 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Livonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.5% | Livonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 40.5% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Livonia
$314,705
Livonia +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Livonia
87.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $314,705 | Livonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 87.5% | Livonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Livonia
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Livonia
1590
Livonia +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Livonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Livonia
29.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Livonia
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Livonia
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Livonia
4.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Livonia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Livonia
11.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Livonia
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Athens +
Livonia
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Livonia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Livonia, 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
Athens +
Livonia
25.8 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 25.8 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Livonia leads in median household income at $96,317, while livonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $314,705. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Livonia. Livonia has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Athens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 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