Athens GA vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Overland Park
143,720
Overland Park +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Overland Park
36.6
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Overland Park
10.7%
Overland Park +
White
Athens
57.6%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Overland Park
4.2%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Overland Park
12.6%
Overland Park +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 143,720 | Overland Park + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.6 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 10.7% | Overland Park + |
| White | 57.6% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 26.2% | 4.9% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 4.2% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 12.6% | Overland Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 49.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Overland Park
$487,466
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $487,466 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Overland Park
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Overland Park
2174
| Metric | Athens, GA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 449 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2174 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Overland Park
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Overland Park
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Overland Park
12.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Overland Park
6.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Overland Park
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Overland Park
9.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Overland Park, KS | 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
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Overland Park + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Overland Park
22.4 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 22.4 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, 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 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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