Athens GA vs Norwalk CA — 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Norwalk
100,713
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Norwalk
36.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 100,713 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 57.6% | 24.0% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 4.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Norwalk
$31,989
Norwalk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Norwalk
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Norwalk
21.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $31,989 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.6% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 21.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Norwalk
$765,319
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $765,319 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Norwalk
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Norwalk
2388
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Norwalk
26.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Norwalk
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Norwalk
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Norwalk
15.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Norwalk
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Norwalk
10.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norwalk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Norwalk
32.1 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 32.1 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 503 in Norwalk. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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