Athens GA vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 98,677 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.0 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 7.5% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 57.5% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.1% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 8.6% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.5% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 28.9% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke 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 Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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