Amenities
An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.
Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Ratings
AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Athens, Alabama is a mid-sized city with a population of 27,586 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (73% White). Given that fact, Athens could be considered less diverse than other cities. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Athens, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 23 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Athens could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Alabama if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Athens and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, cost of living, education, housing and other important metrics.
Athens has a livability score of 74 out of 100 and is ranked #19 in Alabama and #4,079 in the USA. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Athens has higher than average rankings for the following: amenities (A-), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+).
If you're living in Athens, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Athens an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Athens can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Athens real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Athens. Median real estate prices in Athens come in at $313,518, which is 33.1% higher than the Alabama average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Athens, the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 8.3% higher than the Alabama average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Athens | Alabama | National |
| Average one way commute | 23min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 89.6% | 85.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.1% | 8.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.5% | 1.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.5% | 2.9% | 4.6% |
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