Athens GA vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.6 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 57.6% | 48.7% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.3% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 37.2% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $419,326 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Athens, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 63.8°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 58.4 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 23.2 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, 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 398 in Wilmington. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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