Athens 74 Excellent
Athens Livability #19 ranked city in Alabama#4,079 ranked city in the USARanks better than 86% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Athens

PROS
  • Amenities

    An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.

  • Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

CONS
  • Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Ratings

    AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

New Real Estate Listings in Athens Area
Search Homes for Sale in Athens, AL

What's it like Living in Athens?

Athens is a mid-sized city located in the state of Alabama. The city has a population of 26,686 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (73% White). Given that fact, Athens could be considered less diverse than other cities. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Athens your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 23 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Athens, Alabama could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like amenities, crime, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Athens and in the areas around Athens is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 77 out of 100, Athens is ranked #2,468 in the United States and #6 in Alabama. This is a great score, as Athens ranks well in multiple categories! Athens is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we examine each of the categories individually, we see that Athens ranks well for amenities (A-), crime (A+), cost of living (A+), education (B+) and housing (A+). Regrettably for Athens, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: employment (D).

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Athens, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Athens undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Athens apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Athens. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Athens are affordable. Median real estate prices in Athens come in at $171,900, which is 33.8% higher than the Alabama average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Athens, the home price to income ratio is 3.2, which is 10.3% higher than the Alabama average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Athens

See all the best places to live around Athens

How Do You Rate The Livability In Athens?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Athens, AL Livability

      vs

      Athens transportation information

      Statistic Athens Alabama National
      Average one way commute23min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work89.6%85.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.1%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.5%1.1%2.8%
      Working from home2.5%2.9%4.6%
      Source: The Athens, AL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).