Athens GA

In Athens, the rent-to-income burden runs around 28% — acceptable by national standards. Median income sits at $52,974 and median rent is $1,219/month. A staggering 56% of renters here are housing-cost-burdened — spending 30% or more of their income just to keep a roof overhead. Median home value: $299,200 — that's 5.6× the median income. 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — a highly educated workforce that drives (and inflates) this local economy. With a median age of 29, this is a young city — high energy, high turnover, and a lot of people figuring out adulthood simultaneously. Employment picture: 5.32% unemployment — a average employment landscape. Poverty rate: 26.5% — well above the national average. The headline economic numbers hide a bifurcated city. Average commute: 21 minutes — acceptable. Athens was founded in 1806 — that's 220 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 118.2 sq miles at 1,078 people/sq mile — sprawling. Elevation: 636 ft — modest elevation. RoastMyCity overall score: 58/100 — It Depends.