Below Average CostHigher than AverageAthens Area Schools
Median Income
$60,500
household / year
Median Home Value
$126,700
owner-occupied
Median Rent
$843
gross / month
Cost of Living
93
national avg = 100
Is Athens, MI a Good Place to Live?
Athens is a small town of 1,103 in Michigan, with a median household income of $60,500
and a 2.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Athens stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (A-).
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Athens is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Athens city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 92.7
Athens's overall cost of living index is 92.7,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Athens costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Athens, MI
National Avg
Median Home Value
$126,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$843
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
76.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$60,500
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Higher than Average
Athens's violent crime rate is 694.0 per 100,000 residents
— 83% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
694.0 /100k
Property Crime
1857.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Athens is served primarily by Athens Area Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.1:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Athens, MI
National Avg
School District
Athens Area Schools
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
9.1:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
8.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
90.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Athens sees average highs of 30.9°F in January
and 81.9°F in July,
with 39.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 42.7 inches of snow per year.
Athens's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Athens roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $126,700 and median rent is $843/month.
Athens's violent crime rate is 694.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1857.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Athens are operated by Athens Area Schools.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.1:1. 8.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Athens, MI has a population of 1,103, a median household income of $60,500, and an unemployment rate of 2.4%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Athens averages 30.9°F in January and 81.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 39.1 inches
with about 42.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Athens, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 49011.
The population of Athens, Michigan is 1,103 with a median age of 36.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Athens: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $126,700, median household income $60,500, crime index 145 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Athens side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.