Athens GA vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Athens
57.6%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 9.3% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 26.2% | 22.5% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 4.2% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Pittsburgh
47.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 47.8% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 25.0 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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