| Index | Athens | Tennessee | National |
| Cost of living | 93 | 92 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 83 | 80 | 100 |
| Transportation | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 101 | 97 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Athens can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Athens cost of living index is 93, which is 7% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in Athens closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Athens can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Athens an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Athens, the median home price is 15.2% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 21.5% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Athens come in at $53,962, which is 33.7% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Athens, the housing index stands at 17.1% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Athens, healthcare costs are 4.4% lower than the national average.
The Athens cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional 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 | $76,722 | $6,394 | $1,790 | $2,302 |
| Renters | $42,544 | $3,545 | $993 | $1,276 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Tennessee | 7% | 9.75% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Tennessee | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Englewood, TN | 1,544 | 84 | 16.2% |
| Niota, TN | 863 | 84 | 16.0% |
| Etowah, TN | 3,600 | 86 | 14.4% |
| Sweetwater, TN | 6,125 | 87 | 13.0% |
| Charleston, TN | 687 | 88 | 11.9% |
| Athens, TN | 14,414 | 93 | 7.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Mont-Laurier, QC | 14,402 | n/a | |
| Reidsville, NC | 14,401 | 90 | 10.3% |
| South Stormont, ON | 14,401 | n/a | |
| Auburn, CA | 14,428 | 149 | 48.8% |
| Springdale, NJ | 14,396 | 126 | 26.4% |
| Athens, TN | 14,414 | 93 | 7.1% |
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