Athens GA vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 8.6% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 43.2% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.1% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 10.3% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Richmond
44.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.0% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 44.1% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Richmond
43.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $374,265 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 43.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 23.6 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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