Athens GA vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Athens
57.6%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 114,303 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 57.6% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 26.2% | 1.1% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.2% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Provo
22.3%
Provo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Provo
45.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $26,755 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 22.3% | Provo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 45.0% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $486,127 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 39.9% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Provo
1931
| Metric | Athens, GA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1931 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Provo
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Provo
6.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Provo
8.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Provo
7.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³).
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