Athens GA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Athens
57.6%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 115,415 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.9 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 57.6% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 26.2% | 5.3% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 33.5% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $441,257 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Manchester
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 25.7 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³).
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