Athens 80 Exceptional
Athens Livability #10 ranked city in Georgia#1,431 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Athens

PROS
  • Amenities

    An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.

  • Commute

    High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.

  • 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.

CONS
  • Employment

    A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.

  • Schools

    Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.

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What's it like Living in Athens?

Athens is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Georgia. The city has a population of 124,962 inhabitants. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Athens residents is 28. Athens is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 36% married, this city falls well below the national average. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Athens will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 20 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Athens is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before moving to any new city in Georgia, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like amenities, cost of living, commute, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Athens and in the areas around Athens is a much easier task.

Athens has a livability score of 78/100 and is ranked #14 in Georgia and #1,699 in the USA. This is a phenomenal score, as Athens ranks well in multiple categories! Another exciting tidbit, is that Athens ranks better than 90% of all US cities! If we explore each of the categories individually, we see that Athens ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (B-). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Athens. The following was graded with a disappointing score: crime (F), education (F) and employment (F).

Living in Athens offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Athens provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale.

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.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Athens is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Athens come in at $186,200, which is 22.2% higher than the Georgia 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 4.7, which is 56.7% higher than the Georgia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Athens

See all the best places to live around Athens

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Compare Athens, GA Livability

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      Athens transportation information

      Statistic Athens Georgia National
      Average one way commute20min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.5%79.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.4%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit3.4%2.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.3%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk5.3%1.6%2.8%
      Working from home7.9%5.1%4.6%
      Source: The Athens, GA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).