Skyline of Athens
Cost of Living: 100 3,059,764

Athens, Greece

The historic capital of Greece with ancient ruins, vibrant neighborhoods, and a thriving cultural scene.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Greece Avg (100)

Housing Index 105

Above Average

Median Income €16,000

Household income

Unemployment 12.5%

Job market health

Athens vs Greece Average

Cost of Living
Athens: 100
Greece Avg: 100
Housing Index
Athens: 105
Greece Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Athens: 22%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 22.0%
  • Sales Tax: 24.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: €16,000
  • Unemployment: 12.5%
  • Population: 3,059,764

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 250/year
  • Summer High: 92°F
  • Winter Low: 42°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: €250,000
  • 1BR Rent: €650/mo

Cost of Living

Athens's cost of living index is 100 (Greece average = 100).

CategoryAthensNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing105100+5.0%

Data source: ELSTAT, Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price€250,000
Median Rent (1BR)€650/mo
Median Rent (2BR)€813/mo
Price per Sq Ft€166

Data source: Spitogatos, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

%
$90,000 down
%
%

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Athens:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity€100
Heating & Cooling€22Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)€18Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water€35Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)€30Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities€205Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: RAE, EDA, EYDAP 2025

Remote Work Score

Athens scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
€650
Sunny Days
250
Tax
22%
Unemployment
12.5%
Climate
92°F / 42°F
Safety
0.8 homicides/100k
Population
3,059,764
Internet Speed
60 Mbps

Climate

Athens has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January62°F42°F2.5"
April77°F57°F2.8"
July92°F67°F1.5"
October72°F60°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Athens faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake High Risk

Seismic activity in Greece.

Wildfire High Risk

Mediterranean climate with frequent wildfires.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Landslide High Risk

Mountainous terrain with rain-induced landslides.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Mediterranean coast with tsunami risk.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Volcano Moderate Risk

Volcanic activity including Santorini.

Avalanche Moderate Risk

Mountainous region with avalanches.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 22%
  • Sales Tax: 24%
  • Property Tax: ~0.5% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 12.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Athens per 100,000 residents:

45.4
Violent Crime
901.4
Property Crime
0.8
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:15 AM – 2:00 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Trimester — 1st (Sep-Dec), 2nd (Jan-Mar), 3rd (Mar-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (13 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Easter holiday in March/April (2 weeks)

Easter break is the longest holiday after summer. Clean Monday is a national school holiday.

Universities & Higher Education

15
Universities
#282
Top University Rank
1
Top 500 Universities
Top-Ranked University National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Athens, Greece?

The cost of living index in Athens is 100, which is Lower the Greece national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Athens?

The median home price in Athens is €250,000. The housing index is 105.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Athens is approximately €650/mo.

Does Athens, ATT have income tax?

Athens is in ATT, which has an income tax rate of 22%.

What is the climate like in Athens?

Athens enjoys approximately 250 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 92°F, while winter lows can drop to around 42°F.

Relocation Guides

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: ELSTAT, Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Spitogatos, 2026
  • Income & Employment: ELSTAT Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities RAE, EDA, EYDAP 2025

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.