Athens GA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 75,721 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.0 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 57.6% | 48.7% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 2.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 6.8% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $765,686 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Athens, GA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Renton
24.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Renton
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Renton
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Renton
8.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 25.4 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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