Athens GA vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Athens
57.6%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 68,505 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 57.6% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 26.2% | 9.0% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.2% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 3.1% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $561,069 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Portland
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Portland
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Portland
7.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 47.3 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³).
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