Athens GA vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 8.0% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 50.7% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 4.0% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 8.6% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tallahassee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.5% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 23.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 39.5% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tallahassee
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 67.6°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 58.1 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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