Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Athens-Clarke County, GA
VS
Nashville-Davidson, TN
🏆 Athens-Clarke County leads 13 of 22 categories
Athens-Clarke County
Georgia
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$47,798
Violent Crime Index
107⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
126,672
Nashville-Davidson
Tennessee
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$71,328 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
296⚠ High
Population
684,103 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Athens-Clarke County, GA
Pros
64% less violent crime than Nashville-Davidson
Homes cost $109k less ($242,300 vs $351,400)
Rent averages $347/mo less ($1,045 vs $1,392)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 48°F
Cons
Median income trails Nashville-Davidson by $23,530/yr
Higher unemployment (5.4% vs 4.6%)
Nashville-Davidson, TN
Pros
Households earn $23,530 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (4.6%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $351,400
Violent crime (1124.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,392/mo
Property crime (4509.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Athens-Clarke County
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Athens-Clarke County
Violent Crime
64% lower
406.1 vs 1124.1 per 100k
Athens-Clarke County
Median Home Value
$109k less
$242,300 vs $351,400
Nashville-Davidson
Median Income
$23,530
$71,328 vs $47,798/yr
Nashville-Davidson
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
4.6% vs 5.4% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Athens-Clarke County, GA | Nashville-Davidson, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $242,300 ✓ Lower | $351,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,045 ✓ Lower | $1,392⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $47,798 | $71,328 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.0 min ✓ Shorter | 24.8 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.8% | 15.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 107⚠ High ✓ Safer | 263⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 107⚠ High ✓ Safer | 296⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (123) ✓ Better | A- (110) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.2:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 48.0% ✓ Higher | 45.5% |
| High School or Higher | 89.8% | 90.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Clarke County | Davidson County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 54.7°F ✓ Warmer | 48.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.0°F ✓ Warmer | 89.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 49.0" ✓ Drier | 54.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.6" ✓ Less | 4.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,672 | 684,103 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.6% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.7% | 20.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.5% | 12.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Athens-Clarke County's cost of living index is 93.3 vs Nashville-Davidson's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Athens-Clarke County is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Athens-Clarke County leads 13 of 22 categories. Athens-Clarke County wins 13 and Nashville-Davidson wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Athens-Clarke County to Nashville-Davidson or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,300 vs $351,400 median home), income ($47,798 vs $71,328), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Athens-Clarke County, GA and Nashville-Davidson, TN are about 247 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.
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