Georgia city profile

What Is It Like to Live in Athens-Clarke County unified government?

What it costs to live in Athens-Clarke County unified government, and how it compares with other Georgia cities, in plain numbers.

Value score

31

70th best value in Georgia

How much you get for what you pay, versus other Georgia cities.

Overall livability

50

43rd overall in Georgia

Cost, safety, schools, jobs and quality of life combined.

Athens-Clarke County unified government is home to about 126,118 people. A typical home runs $199,300 and a household earns around $43,500, a price-to-income ratio of 4.6. Among Georgia's largest cities, it ranks 70th for value and 43rd overall. For context, the typical Athens-Clarke County unified government home is about 39% below the statewide median of $326,000 and local household income is about 37% below the statewide median of $68,900.

Athens-Clarke County unified government at a glance

Median home price

$199,300

73rd in GA of 82

Median rent

$939/mo

Median household income

$43,500

Home price to income

4.6x

Unemployment

5.6%

47th in GA of 82

School rating

2/10

65th in GA of 82

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More Georgia cities: Atlanta, Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government, Columbus, Johns Creek, Macon-Bibb County, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Savannah, South Fulton

Sources: Home prices and rent from Zillow; income, unemployment and commute from the U.S. Census; school ratings from state education data; crime from the FBI. City rankings are within Georgia only. Updated 2026.