Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) is a city of roughly 126,672 in Georgia. The median household there earns $47,798 annually, which runs below the multi-city median income (-34%).
The typical home in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) is worth $242,300, below the multi-city median (-26%), while the typical renter pays $1,045 a month. Either path — buying or renting — deserves a look at today's rates before deciding.
At roughly 5.1 times median income, Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)'s home values sit in a balanced range compared to the cities we track. Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)'s home prices climbed 5.45% over the past year — steady appreciation without signs of overheating. FEMA rates Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)'s overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Low — comparatively low, which tends to keep home insurance costs in check.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,045/mo in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) would take 26.2% of your income.
$150/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($242,300) would take 32.5% of your income toward principal & interest.
$178/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)
Median home value is $242,300 and median gross rent is $1,045/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Clarke rose 5.45% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,331/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)'s overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Low. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Moving to Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)
Planning a move to Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA?
- The US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022) puts Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)'s median home value at $242,300, median rent at $1,045/month, and median household income at $47,798.
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)?
- To keep rent under the commonly recommended 30% of income in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), where median rent runs $1,045/month, you'd want to earn about $41,800 annually. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance).
- Is it better to rent or buy in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)?
- With a median home value of $242,300 and median rent of $1,045/month, renting comfortably in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) takes about $41,800/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $55,437/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.
See the full salary breakdown for Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)'s.