Cost of Living in Athens, Greece

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Athens costs approximately $1,489 per month for one person including rent. That is 8% below the $1,620 global median across the 340 cities in the Voyica Cost of Living Index 2026. Against its own region, where the median is $1,849, Athens is cheaper than typical for Europe. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $731 per month, or $624 outside the centre. Day to day, an inexpensive restaurant meal runs about $17.67 and a monthly transit pass $32. For anyone weighing a longer stay, median internet speed is 87 Mbps and Athens scores 66/100 on safety (generally safe), and Greece offers a digital nomad visa. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighbourhood, and exchange rates; figures come from crowd-sourced price data last refreshed June 2026. See the full Cost of Living Index →

Athens is a city in Greece, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,489 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $731 per month, or $624 outside the centre. Internet is solid at around 87 Mbps median download speed, and Greece offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Athens scores 66/100 — generally safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 96°F and winter highs around 58°F, with roughly 282 sunny days a year.

Top for WaterfallTop for Rooftop BarTop for MuseumTop for ArchitectureTop for Art SceneTop for Local MarketTop for Walking TourTop for Day TripDigital nomad visaLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendlySafe tap waterMajor airport hub

Monthly Cost$1,489≈ $50/day

1BR Rent (Centre)$731

Internet87 Mbps

Safety66/100

Avg Temp77°F

Athens Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$17.67

Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$70.67

McDonald's Combo Meal$10.60

Cappuccino$4.25

Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$5.89

Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.61

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.83

Bread (1 lb Loaf)$1.43

Eggs (12)$4.77

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$5.09

Apples (1 lb)$1.04

Bananas (1 lb)$0.97

Tomatoes (1 lb)$1.04

Potatoes (1 lb)$0.61

Water (1.5L Bottle)$1.01

Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$11.78

Cigarettes (Marlboro)$5.89

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$1.41

Monthly Transit Pass$31.80

Taxi Start$4.24

Taxi (1 Mile)$1.80

Gasoline (1 Liter)$2.08

VW Golf (New)$29,422.85

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$212.31

Mobile Phone Plan$26.84

Broadband Internet$34.61

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$57.95

Cinema Ticket$10.90

Preschool (Monthly)$653.07

Intl. Primary School (Annual)$13,226.02

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$103.47

Nike Running Shoes$106.25

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$730.58

Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$624.26

Rent 3BR (City Centre)$1,365.34

Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$1,145.06

Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$380.14

Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$331.41

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$1,369.05

Mortgage Interest Rate4.61%

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Athens

Internet87 Mbps

Safety66/100

Healthcare59/100

Public Transit62/100

Walkability75/100

Nightlife76/100

Food Scene85/100

Fine Dining35/100

Coffee Culture80/100

Air Quality82/100

Green Spaces45/100

Culture92/100

Beaches90/100

Hiking60/100

Surfing15/100

Coworking Spaces25

US Visa-Free90 days

How Athens Ranks Among 340 Cities

Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Athens ranks in the top 20% for walkability, but sits in the bottom 26% for internet speed. It is cheaper than 53% of them.

Metric	Athens	World rank	Rank in Europe
Monthly cost	$1,489	#157 of 340	#18 of 91
Safety	66/100	#153 of 340	#82 of 91
Healthcare	59/100	#246 of 340	#73 of 91
Internet speed	87 Mbps	#253 of 340	#79 of 91
Walkability	75/100	#65 of 340	#46 of 91
Public transit	62/100	#86 of 340	#49 of 91
Food scene	85/100	#64 of 340	#20 of 91
Air quality	82/100	#161 of 340	#68 of 91

Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.

Cheaper Alternatives to Athens

Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Athens.

Antalya, Turkey — $1,075/mo, 28% cheaper, safety 72/100
Podgorica, Montenegro — $1,218/mo, 18% cheaper, safety 74/100
Bucharest, Romania — $1,235/mo, 17% cheaper, safety 70/100
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina — $1,101/mo, 26% cheaper, safety 72/100

Neighborhoods in Athens

Plaka · Koukaki · Exarchia · Psyrri · Kolonaki

Communities & Expat Groups

Digital Nomads in Greece · Digital Nomads Athens · Digital Nomads Athens

Athens FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Athens?

A single person should budget around $1,489 per month in Athens, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.

How much is rent in Athens?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Athens averages $731 per month, dropping to about $624 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,365.

Is Athens safe?

Athens scores 66/100 on safety, which is generally safe. Tourist safety is rated 65/100.

How fast is the internet in Athens?

Median download speeds in Athens are around 87 Mbps — solid for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 25 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Greece offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes — Greece offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 90 days visa-free before applying.

What is the weather like in Athens?

Athens sees summer highs around 96°F and winter highs near 58°F, with about 282 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 39 days.