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Athens · Cost of Living 2026
City Guide · Greece · Europe

Cost of Living in Athens, Greece
2026 Expat Guide

moderately affordable 22% below the global city average (CoL 87.2)

Cost of living in Athens (Greece): index 68.2 on the NYC=100 scale, putting it in the moderately priced category. Central 1BR rent: ~$378/month. Affordable meal: ~$5.

With a population of 664,000, Athens is a mid-size city in Greece.

Monthly Budget: $546–$965/month  ·  CoL Index: 68.2 (NYC = 100, global avg 87.2)
🇬🇷 Greece Pop. 664k Capital Updated April 2026
CoL Index
68.2
NYC = 100
Rent Index
62.1
NYC = 100
1-BR Centre
$378
monthly rent
Avg. Salary
$3,612
net/month
Cheap Meal
$5
restaurant
Groceries
$200
monthly basket

Key Cost of Living Data

Athens 2026 · NYC baseline = 100

Cost of Living
68.2
Rent Index
62.1
Cheap Meal USD
$5
Monthly Groceries
$200
Monthly Transport
$54
CategoryValueNotesSource
CoL Index68.2NYC baseline = 100 · global avg 87.2GlobalCostData 2026
Rent Index62.1Avg rent vs NYCGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR City Centre$378Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR Outside Centre$246Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Cheap Restaurant Meal$5Per person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly Groceries$200Single person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly Transport$54Transit pass, USDGlobalCostData 2026

Athens's cost of living index of 68.2 places it 32% below New York City's baseline, and 45% above the global average (approx. index 47).

Affordability snapshot

Rent / Salary ratio
10%

Share of average net salary absorbed by 1-bed city-centre rent. Lower = more disposable income.

Country context · Greece

Avg net salary
$3,612
Food basket /mo
N/A
Avg rent /mo
$378
Internet speed
112 Mbps
Safety index
7.8
HDI
0.893
Life expectancy
82.6 yrs
Purchasing power
42.8

Housing & Rent

USD per month · 2026

TypeUSD / monthNotes
1-bed, city centre$378Capital city avg.
1-bed, outside centre$246Suburbs avg.
Country avg rent$378Greece (national)

Food & Dining

Per-item prices in USD

ItemPrice (USD)Notes
Cheap restaurant meal$5Per person
Mid-range restaurant (2p)$153-course
Monthly groceries (single)$200Single person estimate
Country food basketN/AGreece (national avg)

Transport

Monthly costs in USD

TypePrice (USD)Notes
Monthly transit pass$54Public transport avg.

City Insight

In Athens, a 1-bedroom city-centre apartment ($378/mo) absorbs approximately 10% of the average net salary ($3,612/mo). This leaves solid disposable income.

Country profile
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Related · TaxRatesByCountry.com
Tax Rates in Greece for Expats 2026
Income tax, corporate rates, capital gains & special regimes
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Monthly Budget Estimates

Athens · 2026 · Single person

LifestyleMonthly Budget (USD)Notes
Frugal$546Shared room, basic lifestyle
Comfortable$9651-bed apt, normal expat lifestyle
Western expat$1,642Private apt, regular travel

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Frequently Asked Questions

Athens cost of living

Is Athens cheap to live in?
Athens is moderately affordable with a CoL Index of 68.2. It is cheaper than most Western cities, making it popular with digital nomads and expats. A comfortable single-person lifestyle typically costs $682–$955/month.
What is the average rent in Athens?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the centre of Athens costs approximately $378/month, while outside the city centre it averages $246/month. Prices vary significantly by neighbourhood and property quality.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Athens?
A comfortable single-person lifestyle in Athens requires approximately $965/month, covering rent, food, transport, and leisure. On a tight budget (shared housing, cooking at home), $546/month is feasible. A Western expat lifestyle with private accommodation costs $1,642+/month.
Is Athens, the capital, more expensive than other cities in Greece?
As the capital of Greece, Athens tends to command a premium over smaller regional cities. Its CoL Index of 68.2 (NYC=100) reflects the concentration of government, business, and international institutions that typically drive up housing and service costs. Secondary cities in Greece are often 20–40% cheaper for rent.
What is the average salary in Athens?
The average net monthly salary in Athens is approximately $3,612, equivalent to around $43,344/year after taxes. Technology, finance, and international companies typically pay above average. Expat packages often include housing allowances on top of the base salary.

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Sources: World Bank Open Data 2026 · GlobalCostData Research 2026. Data verified April 2026. Not financial or legal advice.
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and vary by neighbourhood and individual lifestyle. Verify with local sources before relocating.