Athens GA vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 39.7 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 57.6% | 34.2% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 13.7% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.6% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Miami
35.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $59,390 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 19.2% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 35.6% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $580,996 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 30.7% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Miami
29.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Miami
15.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Miami
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Miami
12.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 75.8°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 64.1 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Miami
75.0%
Miami +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 29.9 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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