✦ Cost of living
Athens
Athens, Greece
US = 100
In plain terms: Athens is about 25% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $750/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing72−28%
- Food & groceries78−22%
- Transport55−45%
- Utilities100−0%
- Healthcare65−35%
- Goods & services80−20%
Is Athens expensive?
No — Athens indexes at 75 against a US average of 100, about 25% below it. Rent is the line that moves most, and a US or Western European salary stretches noticeably further here.
Of the 87 cities we track, Athens ranks #68 by overall cost — 19 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Athens costs
One person
$1,900/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$2,730/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$4,720/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $550 | $750 | $1,400 |
| Food & groceries | $360 | $520 | $870 |
| Transport | $330 | $480 | $810 |
| Utilities | $200 | $300 | $500 |
| Healthcare | $180 | $270 | $450 |
| Goods & services | $280 | $410 | $690 |
| Total per month | $1,900 | $2,730 | $4,720 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Athens
Ancient ruins, Mediterranean sun and a coastline on the doorstep — the cheapest of the big Western-European capitals, with a golden visa and a 50% tax break drawing nomads. Grittier than the postcard, and warming fast.
- Currency
- Euro (€ EUR)
- Languages
- Greek
- Time zone
- UTC+2
- Internet
- 100 Mbps
- English
- Fairly common
- Safety
- 62/100
- Climate
- ❄ 10°C · ☀ 28°C · 250 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- F · 230V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Koukaki · Kolonaki · Exarchia · Glyfada
About
“The Cradle of Western Civilisation”
Ancient ruins, Mediterranean sun and a coastline on the doorstep — the cheapest of the big Western-European capitals, with a golden visa and a 50% tax break drawing nomads. Grittier than the postcard, and warming fast.
- Currency
- Euro · EUR
- Languages
- Greek
- Coordinates
- 37.98, 23.73
- Emergency
- 112
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
44%
Income tax
progressive
24%
VAT / sales
22%
Corporate
$1,000
Avg net salary
per month
50% income-tax exemption for 7 years for qualifying new tax residents.
Visas & residency
The Golden Visa (property) and a digital-nomad visa carrying a 50% tax break for new residents.
✈ Schengen 90/180 for many passports.
Remote workers, €3,500/mo; 50% income-tax break.
€250k–800k property investment.
Permanent residence after ~5 yrs. Citizenship after ~7 yrs.
Quality of life
Quality of life
66/100
Safety
62/100
Healthcare
65/100
Pollution
55/100
Internet
100 Mbps
Jan avg
+10 °C
Jul avg
+28 °C
Sunny days
250/yr
Walkability
75/100
Public transit
72/100
Family-friendly
62/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Moderate
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 35
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Athens without a car?
74/100
Car-free score
75/100
Walkability
72/100
Public transport
Mostly — at 74/100, Athens handles everyday trips on foot and by public transport, but a car still helps for weekend trips, bulk shopping and anything outside the built-up core.
Transport in Athens indexes at 55 against a US average of 100 — about 45% cheaper than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Athens ranks #49 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Athens — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$750
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$550
- Inexpensive meal$13
- Monthly transit pass$30
- Utilities (monthly)$190
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is Athens, GR expensive to live in?
Athens, GR's cost-of-living index is 75 (US average = 100) — about 25% cheaper than a typical US city — and it ranks #68 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $1,900 a month and a family of four around $4,720, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Athens, GR?
Athens, GR's cost-of-living index is 75 (US average = 100) — about 25% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $750 per month.
What are the average living costs in Athens, GR?
Living costs in Athens, GR are about 25% cheaper than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 75 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $750. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Athens, GR?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $750 per month, and around $550 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Greece?
Greece has a top income-tax rate of 44% and a VAT or sales tax of 24%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Athens, GR?
Athens, GR averages around +10 °C in January and +28 °C in July, with roughly 250 sunny days a year.
Is Athens, GR safe?
Athens, GR scores 62 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Athens, GR without a car?
Athens, GR scores 74/100 on our car-free score — 75/100 for walkability and 72/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
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Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.