Athens GA vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.6 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 57.6% | 48.3% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 7.0% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.1% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.8% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 28.7% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 68.5°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Antonio + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 26.5 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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