Athens is a small city of 12,878 in Texas, with a median household income of $54,828
and a 2.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is
6% below the national average.
Strengths:
Athens stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, short average commutes.
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: 94.5
Athens's overall cost of living index is 94.5,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Athens costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.
Metric
Athens, TX
National Avg
Median Home Value
$163,900
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,063
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
55.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$54,828
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Athens's violent crime rate is 422.8 per 100,000 residents
— 11% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
422.8 /100k
Property Crime
1406.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Athens is served primarily by ATHENS ISD.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Athens, TX
National Avg
School District
ATHENS ISD
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
20.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
82.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Athens sees average highs of 57.9°F in January
and 94.1°F in July,
with 44.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.2 inches of snow per year.
Athens's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Athens roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $163,900 and median rent is $1,063/month.
Athens's violent crime rate is 422.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1406.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Athens are operated by ATHENS ISD.
The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.2:1. 20.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Athens, TX has a population of 12,878, a median household income of $54,828, 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 57.9°F in January and 94.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 44.8 inches
with about 0.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Athens, TX is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 75751, 75752.
The population of Athens, Texas is 12,878 with a median age of 38.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Athens: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $163,900, median household income $54,828, crime index 94 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. 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.
