Athens GA vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Athens
57.6%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.0 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 57.6% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 26.2% | 13.4% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Oklahoma City +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Oklahoma City
34.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $37,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,929 | Oklahoma City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 34.0% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Oklahoma City
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Athens, GA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 429 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2375 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Oklahoma City
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Oklahoma City
14.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 23.6 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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