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Cost of Living in Athens

Athens, Attikí, Greece · Population 3,059,764 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Greece average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)€884 ($961)
Couple, monthly€1,584 ($1,722)
Family of four, monthly€2,063 ($2,242)

Estimated Prices in Athens

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant€8.97 ($9.75)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range€35.88 ($39.00)per meal
Cappuccino€2.69 ($2.93)each
Monthly groceries (single person)€203 ($221)per month
Monthly public transport pass€32.89 ($35.75)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment€86.71 ($94.25)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)€25.12 ($27.30)per month
Fitness club membership€25.12 ($27.30)per month
Cinema ticket€6.58 ($7.15)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre€411 ($447)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre€286 ($311)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre€858 ($933)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Athens is €1,555 ($1,690) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of €884 ($961) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly €1,149 ($1,249) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (€286 ($311)) represents about 32% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Athens

Athens vs ThessaloníkiAthens vs PiraeusAthens vs IrákleioAthens vs PátraAthens vs LárisaAthens vs Peristéri

Nearby Cities

Zográfos

3 km away · Attikí

Távros

3 km away · Attikí

Dáfni

4 km away · Attikí

Ymittós

4 km away · Attikí

Kaisarianí

4 km away · Attikí

Galátsi

4 km away · Attikí

Výronas

4 km away · Attikí

Aigáleo

4 km away · Attikí

Other Major Cities in Greece

Thessaloníki

Kentrikí Makedonía · pop. 802,572

€709 ($771) / mo

Piraeus

Attikí · pop. 448,051

€709 ($771) / mo

Irákleio

Kríti · pop. 211,370

€666 ($724) / mo

Pátra

Dytikí Elláda · pop. 173,600

€666 ($724) / mo

Lárisa

Thessalía · pop. 146,377

€666 ($724) / mo

Peristéri

Attikí · pop. 133,630

€666 ($724) / mo

Acharnés

Attikí · pop. 100,857

€666 ($724) / mo

Kallithéa

Attikí · pop. 97,616

€666 ($724) / mo

Living in Athens

Athens is the capital and one of the key cities in Greece. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is €884 ($961), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around €286 ($311) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to €2,063 ($2,242) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately €1,584 ($1,722) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Athens is €1,555 ($1,690). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least €1,149 ($1,249) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Athens expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated €884 ($961) per month in Athens including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Greece.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Athens?
A net salary of around €1,149 ($1,249) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Athens with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Athens is €1,555 ($1,690).
How much is rent in Athens?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated €411 ($447) per month in the city centre and €286 ($311) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about €858 ($933).
Is Athens cheaper than Greece on average?
No — Athens is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Greece average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Athens?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at €203 ($221) in Athens. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about €9 ($10) and a cappuccino runs around €3 ($3).
How do transport costs in Athens compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Athens is estimated at €33 ($36). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Athens are estimates based on Greece national averages adjusted for city size (population 3,059,764) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.