Athens GA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 57.6% | 49.1% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 19.9% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $708,498 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Stamford
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Stamford
14.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Stamford
8.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 53.2 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 30.1 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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