| Index | Athens | Georgia | National |
| Cost of living | 101 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 98 | 88 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 102 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 109 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 107 | 99 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Athens allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Athens stands at 101, marking it 1% higher than the national average.
The cost of living in Athens aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Athens residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 9 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Athens. The feedback revealed that 11% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 89% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Athens an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Athens is 1% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 9.7% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Athens has a median household income of $59,728, which is 26.6% lower than the national average.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Athens, the transportation index is 1.5% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Athens comes in at 4.4% higher than the national average.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Athens, is 2.2% lower than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Athens are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $106,899 | $8,908 | $2,494 | $3,207 |
| Renters | $40,737 | $3,395 | $950 | $1,222 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Georgia | 4% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Georgia | 1% | 5.57% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Arnoldsville, GA | 515 | 88 | 11.6% |
| Crawford, GA | 1,257 | 89 | 10.9% |
| Nicholson, GA | 1,772 | 90 | 10.0% |
| Lexington, GA | 472 | 92 | 8.5% |
| Arcade, GA | 2,024 | 94 | 5.6% |
| Athens, GA | 128,427 | 101 | 0.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Lehigh Acres, FL | 128,418 | 104 | 3.7% |
| Fargo, ND | 128,361 | 103 | 3.2% |
| Norman, OK | 127,988 | 97 | 3.5% |
| Berkeley, CA | 127,519 | 222 | 121.6% |
| Abilene, TX | 129,386 | 93 | 7.1% |
| Athens, GA | 128,427 | 101 | 0.6% |
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