Athens GA vs Rancho Cucamonga CA — 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%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 174,693 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.9 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 21.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 57.6% | 44.0% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 8.3% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 15.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 38.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $109,511 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $45,626 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.8% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 8.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 37.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $791,317 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 63.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 34.6 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, 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 503 in Rancho Cucamonga. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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