Athens GA vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.1 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 57.6% | 29.0% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 2.9% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
San Jose
46.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 46.5% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $1,452,609 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
San Jose
14.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
San Jose
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
San Jose
13.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
San Jose
9.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
San Jose
61.5°F
San Jose +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 61.5°F | San Jose + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 30.4 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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