Athens GA vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Athens
57.6%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.3 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 57.6% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 26.2% | 10.5% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.3% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 33.5% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $496,966 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 31.1 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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