Athens GA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Athens
57.6%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.1 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 57.6% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 26.2% | 12.1% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.4% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 34.1% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $435,532 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 48.1 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 27.3 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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