Athens GA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Athens
57.6%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.4 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 9.1% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 26.2% | 18.9% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 8.9% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 40.4% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $427,121 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 25.0 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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