Athens GA vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 57.6% | 53.2% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 16.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 9.1% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 43.5% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Athens, GA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1992 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 24.1 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Athens, GA vs New York, NYAthens, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAthens, GA vs Chicago, ILAthens, GA vs Houston, TXAthens, GA vs Phoenix, AZAthens, GA vs Philadelphia, PA