Athens, AL vs Hercules, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Athens
70
#1140 nationally
Hercules
63.3
#1776 nationally
Hercules leads in median household income ($125,880 vs $57,444). Athens leads in cost of living index (93 vs 171). Athens leads in average commute (24.5 min vs 40.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Athens, AL | Hercules, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70 (#1140) | 63.3 (#1776) |
| Population | 30,904 | 26,582 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $311,050 | $743,984 |
| Median Household Income | $57,444 | $125,880 |
| Average Commute | 24.5 min | 40.4 min |
| Walk Score | 21 | 29 |
| Crime Level | 6.7 | 4.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 171 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+43.9 | D+38.0 |
C-
70 Score
Athens, AL
Small Alabama city with local appeal
Median Home
$311,050
Population
30,904
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
21
Southeast
View Athens, AL →
D
63.3 Score
Hercules, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$743,984
Population
26,582
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Hercules, CA →