Athens GA vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 39.3 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 57.6% | 53.2% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 9.0% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $507,575 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Athens, GA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Plano
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Plano
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Plano
14.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Plano
8.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Plano, TX | 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
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Plano +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Plano + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 27.6 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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