Living in Athens, GA
Athens is the 227th-largest city in the US, home to about 129,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (93.3 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 128,612+1% since 2020
- Median home value
- $299,2005.6 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,219/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $52,974median, per year
- Price level
- 93.3US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 55° / 92°lows 34° / 70°
- Average commute
- 21 min14% work from home
- State income tax
- 5.19%top rate, flat
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County: Clarke County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 748 ft
Metro area: Athens-Clarke County, GA
Cost of living in Athens
The median home in Athens is worth $299,200 and the median household earns $52,974 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.6 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,219 a month, about 28% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area at 93.3, with housing at 76.8 and goods at 96.3 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $70,000 here. Georgia taxes wages at a top rate of 5.19% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Georgia is 7.56%.
What would my salary be worth in Athens?
Athens weather
Average highs run from 55°F in January to 92°F in July, and January nights average 34°F. It gets 49 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 62 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are March to May and September to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Athens
People and work
The median resident is 29.4 years old, and 47% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 41% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 21 minutes; 14% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 29.426th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 47%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 41%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,105116.4 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%5% walk, 0.9% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.3%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 26.5%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1987median year
Who moves to Athens, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Savannah (Chatham County), Los Angeles (Los Angeles County) and Fort Lauderdale (Broward County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Savannah (Chatham County), Charlotte (Mecklenburg County) and Chicago (Cook County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
FEMA rating for Clarke County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: ice storm.
Home prices
+1% in a year
Up 55% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Athens-Clarke County, GA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
58% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Athens-Clarke County, GA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Athens
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- University of Georgia in Athens
- Emmanuel University 27 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Athens
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ATL | 64 mi | 52,511,402 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Athens
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Georgia | in town | 32,137 | $13,636 | 89% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Athens
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 23, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 31 and the first frost comes around November 10.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Athens Ben Epps Airport, GA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Athens.
Wildfire smoke in Athens
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Athens on about 136 days a year, including about 17 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Athens
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 53,643 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Athens
Downtown Athens is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarke County School District | Pre-K to 12 | 12,275 | 21 | 10.2 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Barrow County School District (15,313 students), Jackson County School District (11,160 students), Oconee County School District (8,474 students), Madison County School District (5,165 students), Oglethorpe County School District (2,293 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Athens's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Athens's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Fayetteville, NC80% matchCompare
- Norfolk, VA77% matchCompare
- Little Rock, AR77% matchCompare
- Greensboro, NC75% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Athens
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Athens
- Cataloochee Ski Area 113 miles
- Ober Mountain Adventure Park & Ski Area 122 miles
- Wolf Ridge Ski Resort 147 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Athens
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 7% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Commutes are short: 21 minutes each way on average.
- Data Low natural hazard risk: FEMA rates Clarke County relatively low overall.
Cons
- Data Poverty is high: 26.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
Athens report card from locals
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Athens through locals' eyes
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Cities near Athens
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Creek, GA | 48 mi | 80,401 | $629,400 | 100.1 | Compare |
| Roswell, GA | 57 mi | 91,505 | $567,100 | 100.1 | Compare |
| Sandy Springs, GA | 57 mi | 105,013 | $619,800 | 100.1 | Compare |
| Atlanta, GA | 59 mi | 529,110 | $439,600 | 100.1 | Compare |
| Mableton, GA | 71 mi | 78,820 | $313,100 | 100.1 | Compare |
| South Fulton, GA | 72 mi | 112,820 | $309,800 | 100.1 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Athens with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Athens a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, short commutes. Compare Athens side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Athens?
The Census Bureau estimates Athens had 128,612 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 127,357 in April 2020 (+1%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Athens?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $70,000 in the Athens area. The median household here earns $52,974.
When is the best time to visit Athens?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, March to May and September to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 92°F and January 55°F for daytime highs.
What county is Athens in?
Athens is in Clarke County, Georgia. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Athens in?
Athens is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Athens?
About 748 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Georgia have a state income tax?
Yes. Georgia has a flat income tax with a top rate of 5.19% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Athens. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Athens Ben Epps Airport, GA station; snowfall from Winterville, GA. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.