City Comparison
Athens vs South Fulton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Athens scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Athens
South Fulton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Athens is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in South Fulton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Athens's average rent is
13% lower than South Fulton's.
| Metric | Athens | South Fulton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,550 | -13% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,245 | $2,515 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Athens offers 7% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Athens delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Athens is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in South Fulton.
| Metric | Athens | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 60,417 idx |
| Household Income | $53,400 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Athens comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Athens sees 1.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Athens | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.10°F | 63.00°F |
| Summer High | 86.60°F | 86.70°F |
| Winter Low | 36.30°F | 35.30°F |
| Rainfall | 38.30 in | 47.60 in |
| Snowfall | 3.70 in | 2.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | 235 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Athens has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to South Fulton.
Athens scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Athens leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Athens | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Athens is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of South Fulton.
From a growth perspective, South Fulton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Athens has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Athens | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,561 | 107,436 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 27.5 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Athens
Advantages
Vibrant music and arts scene rooted in legendary alternative rock history and active local venues
World-class cultural and educational amenities driven by the University of Georgia
Cost of living that remains below the national average despite steady growth
Exceptional local healthcare infrastructure anchored by Piedmont Athens Regional and St. Mary's
Abundant green spaces including the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and the North Oconee River Greenway
Drawbacks
Significant traffic congestion and parking shortages during University of Georgia home football game days
Rental market volatility and higher prices driven by high student demand near downtown
Property crime rates that skew higher in densely populated student and entertainment zones
Warm and humid summer climate that can be oppressive for sensitive individuals
Limited heavy rail public transit connectivity to neighboring metropolitan hubs like Atlanta
South Fulton
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain more affordable than in northern Atlanta suburbs per Zillow (2024)
Strategic proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport drives strong logistics and employment opportunities
Abundant suburban space and large residential lots offer room for families to grow
Rapidly developing commercial corridors bring new dining, retail, and entertainment options locally
Active community engagement and municipal leadership focused on sustainable local growth
Drawbacks
High car dependency and limited public transit options outside of major bus corridors
Commuting during peak hours along major arteries like I-85 and South Fulton Parkway can experience significant congestion
Property crime rates in certain commercial and residential pockets exceed national averages per FBI crime data
Walkability scores are generally low, requiring driving for most daily errands
Rapid development puts pressure on local infrastructure and traffic management
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Athens
#287Georgia, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
63.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
78
Business
72
South Fulton
#360Georgia, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
235/yr
Avg Temp
63.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
72
Business
68
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