Athens GA vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 5.5% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 27.7% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.3% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 4.8% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Athens +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $51,690 | Athens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.5% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 33.5% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 400 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Montgomery
12.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 46.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 64.5°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 52.8 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 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