Living in Athens, Alabama
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Athens · Census data 2020–2024
Athens has 29,002 residents with a median age of 40.9. The median household income is $69,922 (9% higher than the Alabama median), the median home value is $270,000, the median rent is $899/month.
Athens at a glance
- Population
- 29,002
- Median age
- 40.9State: 39.3
- Median household income
- $69,922State: $63,999
- Median home value
- $270,000State: $209,900
- Median rent
- $899/moState: $1,007
- Homeowners
- 64%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 31.4%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Athens a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 9% higher than the Alabama median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 3.1%; a poverty rate of 12.2%.
Cons: Home values 29% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Athens
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Athens the median home value is $270,000, 19% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $899 per month, which is 25.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,528 a month in housing costs.
Athens median household income
The median household income in Athens is $69,922 and the income per person is $42,717. 12.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Alabama: 15.6%).
Housing in Athens: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 12,415
- Owner-occupied
- 64%
- Renter-occupied
- 36%
- Vacant
- 9.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1989
- Average household size
- 2.52
Athens demographics
- Population
- 29,002
- Median age
- 40.9
- Under 18
- 20.2%
- 65 and older
- 17.5%
- Households
- 11,251
- Foreign-born
- 5.8%
- Veterans
- 7.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Athens ›
Education in Athens
31.4% of adults 25 and older in Athens have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alabama: 28.4%), and 12% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Athens
- Unemployment rate
- 3.1%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 8.2%
- Drive alone
- 82.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.7%
Athens vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 29,002 | $69,922 | $270,000 | $899 |
| Elkmont | 264 | $49,750 | $234,100 | $388 |
| Madison | 60,106 | $134,655 | $398,800 | $1,453 |
| Harvest | 5,955 | $101,910 | $281,300 | $1,236 |
| Decatur | 57,361 | $61,563 | $210,200 | $896 |
| Trinity | 2,561 | $100,929 | $283,000 | — |
| Ardmore | 1,384 | $50,352 | $216,600 | $714 |
| Hillsboro | 527 | $61,818 | $121,100 | $681 |
| Ardmore | 1,073 | $47,188 | $168,100 | $871 |
More for people moving to Athens
Athens ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Athens: FAQ
What is the median household income in Athens, AL?
The median household income in Athens is $69,922, 9% higher than the Alabama median of $63,999 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Athens?
The median home value in Athens is $270,000, compared with $209,900 in Alabama.
How much is rent in Athens?
The median gross rent in Athens is $899 per month, about 25.6% of household income.
Is Athens, AL a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 9% higher than the Alabama median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 3.1%; a poverty rate of 12.2%. Minuses: home values 29% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Athens?
The median age in Athens is 40.9 years (Alabama: 39.3).
How long is the commute in Athens?
The average commute to work in Athens is 25 minutes; 8.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Athens?
The unemployment rate in Athens is 3.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Athens?
31.4% of adults in Athens have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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