| Index | Athens | Ohio | National |
| Cost of living | 96 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 102 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 92 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 93 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 90 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 94 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 92 | 93 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Athens is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Athens is 96, which is 4% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
In Athens, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Athens will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Athens affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Athens, the median home price is 5.7% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 8.2% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Athens boasting a median household income of $46,421, 42.9% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Athens, the groceries index is 4.8% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Athens, the transportation index is 8.5% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Athens, the utilities index stands at 7.1% lower than the national average.
The Athens cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| 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 | $138,732 | $11,561 | $3,237 | $4,162 |
| Renters | $25,121 | $2,093 | $586 | $754 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Ohio | 5.75% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Ohio | 2.76% | 3.99% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| New Marshfield, OH | 245 | 97 | 3.4% |
| Tuppers Plains, OH | 382 | 93 | 6.8% |
| Haydenville, OH | 326 | 79 | 21.2% |
| Trimble, OH | 630 | 80 | 20.4% |
| Chauncey, OH | 871 | 78 | 22.1% |
| Athens, OH | 25,971 | 96 | 4.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| La Prairie, QC | 25,972 | n/a | |
| Bloomingdale, FL | 25,961 | 119 | 19.5% |
| El Cerrito, CA | 25,955 | 202 | 102.3% |
| Balch Springs, TX | 25,952 | 92 | 8.0% |
| North Tustin, CA | 26,001 | 210 | 109.7% |
| Athens, OH | 25,971 | 96 | 4.3% |
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