Athens GA vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Athens
57.6%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 57.6% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 26.2% | 4.4% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.5% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 31.5% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $435,670 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 450 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2150 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Mesa
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Mesa
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Mesa
11.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 71.8°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 26.7 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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