Athens GA vs New Braunfels TX — 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%
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
New Braunfels
8.2%
White
Athens
57.6%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
New Braunfels
15.7%
New Braunfels +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 267 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 39.4 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 8.2% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 26.2% | 0.0% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 0.0% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 15.7% | New Braunfels + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
New Braunfels
$63,758
New Braunfels +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $74,643 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $21,360 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | New Braunfels + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 1.8% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
New Braunfels
$352,129
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $352,129 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
New Braunfels
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
New Braunfels
2339
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
New Braunfels
34.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
New Braunfels
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
New Braunfels
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
New Braunfels
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
New Braunfels
11.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 67.4°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 34.0 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
New Braunfels +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
New Braunfels
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | New Braunfels + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 19.6 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, 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 442 in New Braunfels. New Braunfels has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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