Cost of Living: Lehigh Acres, FL vs Athens, GA (2026)

Lehigh Acres

Florida
95
VS

Athens

Georgia
83

Lehigh Acres is 12% more expensive than Athens.

$1,496/mo ↑ 29%
Median Rent
$1,162/mo ↓ 22%
$62,330/yr ↑ 21%
Median Income
$51,655/yr ↓ 17%
$263,200 ↓ 3%
Home Value
$271,800 ↑ 3%
$1,330/mo ↑ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,163/mo ↓ 13%
127,391
Population
126,987

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.49%
6.0%
Sales Tax
4.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

28.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Lehigh Acres, FL and Athens, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $334/month cheaper in Athens, saving renters about $4,008/year.

Median household income is $10,675/year higher in Lehigh Acres. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Lehigh Acres is $263,200 compared to $271,800 in Athens.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Lehigh Acres residents a significant tax advantage over Georgia's 5.49% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lehigh Acres vs Athens — common questions

Is Lehigh Acres or Athens cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Athens is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 95 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Lehigh Acres and Athens?
Median rent in Lehigh Acres is $1,496/month and in Athens it's $1,162/month — a difference of $334/month.
Which city has higher income, Lehigh Acres or Athens?
Median household income is $62,330 in Lehigh Acres and $51,655 in Athens. Median household income is $10,675/year higher in Lehigh Acres.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Georgia?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Lehigh Acres or Athens?
It depends on your priorities. Lehigh Acres has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,496/mo, while Athens has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,162/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Lehigh Acres details → View Athens details →