Athens GA vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 8.3% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 41.5% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.2% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Athens +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Athens +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $46,628 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $30,451 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.9% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 26.6% | Athens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 29.9% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 37.2% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens leads in median household income at $51,655, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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