Moving to Athens
What you need to know before relocating to Athens, Tennessee. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.
Is Athens a Good Place to Live?
Athens presents a mixed picture. Prospective residents should weigh the tradeoffs carefully. Key considerations: median household income ($51,810) trails the national median; violent crime rate (628/100k) exceeds the national average.
Athens at a Glance
Cost of Living in Athens
The median rent in Athens is $668/month, while the median home value is $216,200. With a median household income of $51,810, residents spend roughly 15% of monthly income on rent.
Overall, the Athens metro area is classified as very affordable compared to other US metros.
Job Market
Athens has a median household income of $51,810, which is 31% below the national median. The local unemployment rate is 4.4%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.
Safety in Athens
The violent crime rate in Athens is 628 per 100,000 residents, which is 65% above the national average of 380.
Property crime rate: 2362 per 100,000 residents.
Education in Tennessee
Tennessee has a high school graduation rate of 90% and per-pupil spending of $12,431/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16:1.
33% of Tennessee adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Healthcare Access
Tennessee has 266 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 9.6% uninsured rate, and 3.0 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in Tennessee is 76.0 years.
Pros and Cons of Living in Athens
+Pros
- ✓Rent ($668/mo) is below the national average
- ✓Home prices ($216,200) are well below the US median
-Cons
- ✗Median household income ($51,810) trails the national median
- ✗Violent crime rate (628/100k) exceeds the national average
- ✗Longer-than-average commute (25794 min)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Athens a good place to live?⌄
Athens has both advantages and drawbacks. Prospective residents should weigh median household income ($51,810) trails the national median and violent crime rate (628/100k) exceeds the national average against other lifestyle factors.
What is the cost of living in Athens?⌄
The median rent in Athens is $668/month and the median home value is $216,200. The median household income is $51,810. Overall the metro is considered very affordable.
Is Athens safe?⌄
Athens has a violent crime rate of 628 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.
What is the job market like in Athens?⌄
Athens has an unemployment rate of 4.4%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $51,810.