Athens GA vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Athens
57.6%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 115,546 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 8.2% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 26.2% | 1.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 44.0% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $528,447 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Athens, GA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 512 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3234 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Westminster
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Westminster
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Westminster
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Westminster
11.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Westminster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 28.6 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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