Athens GA vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Athens
57.6%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.6 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 57.6% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 26.2% | 5.8% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 11.3% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.5% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $538,687 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Athens, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3001 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Portland
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 78.3 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 26.5 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³).
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