Athens GA vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Athens
57.6%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.7 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 9.8% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 26.2% | 23.7% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.6% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 8.6% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Athens +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $52,606 | Athens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 33.4% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 24.2 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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