Athens GA vs San Francisco CA — 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 39.7 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 57.6% | 40.5% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 5.1% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.6% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $1,369,171 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 38.5% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
San Francisco
17.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
San Francisco
14.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
San Francisco
6.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
San Francisco
9.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 33.9 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Francisco. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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