Athens GA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Athens
57.6%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 26,509 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.7 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 7.1% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 26.2% | 3.6% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 3.9% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $344,633 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1992 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Rochester
14.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rochester
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 28.3 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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