Athens GA vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Athens
26.2%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 119,508 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 40.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 57.6% | 44.0% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.5% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.4% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 37.6% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Athens, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $399,650 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Athens, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
West Palm Beach
13.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 75.4°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 62.3 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Athens, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 25.0 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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