Athens GA vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Athens
57.6%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 49.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 57.6% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 26.2% | 2.0% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 9.4% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $858,307 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Athens, GA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 450 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2150 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Scottsdale
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Scottsdale
12.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Scottsdale
6.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Scottsdale
7.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 72.5°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 23.2 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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