Athens GA vs New Haven CT — 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
New Haven
31.9
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Athens
26.2%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 132,893 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 31.9 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 57.6% | 36.8% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
New Haven
$53,771
New Haven +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
New Haven
25.0%
New Haven +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $53,771 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $34,482 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.7% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 25.0% | New Haven + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 37.7% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 28.4% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
New Haven
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
New Haven
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 47.1 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
New Haven
23.0 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 23.0 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven leads in median household income at $53,771, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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