Athens GA vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Westland
9.2%
White
Athens
57.6%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 84,155 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 9.2% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 26.2% | 22.6% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.8% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 5.0% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Westland
$58,052
Westland +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Westland
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Westland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.3% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 21.7% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Westland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Westland
7.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Westland
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Westland, MI | 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
Athens +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Westland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Athens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 27.0 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Athens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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