Athens GA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.1 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 57.6% | 36.1% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 8.4% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 34.6% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 48.5 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 34.5 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Athens, GA vs New York, NYAthens, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAthens, GA vs Chicago, ILAthens, GA vs Houston, TXAthens, GA vs Phoenix, AZAthens, GA vs San Antonio, TX