Athens GA vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.6 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 57.6% | 51.8% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 21.3% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 44.6% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $376,530 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 73.4°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 46.3 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 26.8 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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