Georgia
Athens
Athens is the college-town comparison market, where student demand, rent, wages, transportation, and benefits access shape household affordability.
- Median rent: $1,713
- Home price: $341,821
- Salary needed: $58,500
- Move score: 81/100
Cost comparison
Compare rent, housing, utilities, groceries, salary needs, and move score across the city profiles currently available in LifeAtlas.
Georgia
Athens is the college-town comparison market, where student demand, rent, wages, transportation, and benefits access shape household affordability.
Georgia
Alpharetta is a premium Atlanta-area suburb and tech market in Georgia, useful for starter comparisons around rent, housing, utilities, wages, benefits, insurance, and moving costs.
Comparison
Athens has the lower salary-needed estimate, while Athens has the lower starter rent. Differences are shown as Alpharetta minus Athens.
| Metric | Athens | Alpharetta | Difference | Advantage | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,713 | $2,049 | +$336 | Athens | Athens has the lower median rent. |
| Home price | $341,821 | $728,536 | +$386,715 | Athens | Athens has the lower home price. |
| Utilities | $186/mo | $192/mo | +$6/mo | Athens | Athens has the lower utilities. |
| Groceries index | 101 | 102 | +1 | Athens | Athens has the lower groceries index. |
| Salary needed | $58,500 | $80,600 | +$22,100 | Athens | Athens has the lower salary needed. |
| Move score | 81/100 | 72/100 | -9 | Athens | Athens has the higher move score. |
Source Discipline
Last reviewed: 2026-05-17
Source Discipline
Last reviewed: 2026-05-17