Athens GA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Athens
57.6%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 57.6% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 26.2% | 6.6% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 8.2% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $871,599 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Athens, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Seattle
22.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Seattle
6.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Seattle
6.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Seattle
6.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 28.8 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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