Cost of Living in Athens, Greece

Cost of living in Athens: let’s analyze costs of food, real estate, entertainment, and transport in Athens, Greece.

Are you considering moving to Athens for your career or to start a business? Check below the data for the cost of living in Athens, Greece which is an ancient European city known for its ties to Ancient Greece through landmarks and museums.

cost of living in athens greece

Athens, Greece: Overview

The country of Greece is in Southeastern Europe and is known for its thousands of islands throughout the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Athens is the capital of Greece and is an ancient European city that features many different buildings and artifacts from the 5th Century BC. Some of the most famous landmarks in this city are the Acropolis of Athens and the Parthenon.

Athens is a well-known city in Europe that is currently a hub for museums, universities, and archaeological sites that focus on the history of Ancient Greece. There are numerous ancient ruins around the city that are open to exploration and many museums give the history of this ancient capital.

Athens is a popular city for expats to move to because it is a cultural and tourist hub for everyone. The city has representation from a variety of countries and has visitors from many more. Everyone wants to experience Athens, Greece and its surrounding islands. Athens is a more affordable city to live in, when compared to the rest of Europe.

Cost of Living in Athens, Greece

Most European countries have high tax percentages, but the cost of food, groceries, eating out are relatively affordable in Athens. The real estate market is popular with many people wanting to invest in a destination vacation home for the tourism industry. Real estate is pricey. As well, Greece has had some economic trouble in the past, so the price of real estate has gone up. Tourism is still a large part of the economy and everyone wants to have a hotel or home to rent in this location. You may however, find renting to be more affordable.

Athens is a well-connected city and allows easy access to Eastern Europe, Northern Africa, and of course Greece’s numerous islands. Some of the more famous islands to visit are Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes. You can easily catch a flight at the Athens International Airport and be on your way to the next destination.

Athens can be an expensive city to live in. If you are aiming to experience high quality luxury, it comes with a price tag. If you can live more like a local, the city will be more affordable.

Let’s check some data for the cost of living in Athens, Greece below:

The currency in Greece is the Euro. The conversion rate to the USD is 1 dollar to 0.93 EUR as of March 29, 2024.

If you want to suggest your own values based on your experiences in this city, click on edit and insert the values. Upon moderation they will be calculated to make part of the average prices displayed below.

Food Price [EDIT]
1 liter of milk 1.40 USD
1 loaf of bread 0.85 USD
1 kg of tomatoes 1.90 USD
1 kg of chicken 5.30 USD
1 single meal cheap restaurant 10.50 USD
1 single meal high-end restaurant 25.00 USD
1 cappuccino or latte 3.05 USD
1 big pizza delivery 10.00 USD
Real Estate Price [EDIT]
1 bedroom flat (40 m2) rent per month 410.00 USD
1 bedroom flat (40 m2) utilities per month 85.00 USD
2 bedroom flat (80 m2) rent per month 620.00 USD
2 bedroom flat (80 m2) utilities per month 162.00 USD
Price per square meter (city center) 1,550.00 USD
Transport Price [EDIT]
1 single ride public transport 1.55 USD
Monthly public transport ticket 37.00 USD
1 km taxi or similar transport app 0.85 USD
1 liter of gasoline (1/4 gallon) 1.90 USD
Toyota Corolla (new) basic version 22,385.00 USD
Salaries Price [EDIT]
Minimum Salary 780.00 USD
Average Salary (net) 850.00 USD
Extras Price [EDIT]
1 ticket to the movies (adult price) 10.00 USD
High speed internet per month 32.00 USD
1 month gym subscription 34.00 USD

Cost of Living for Students in Athens, Greece

Athens is an exciting place for students. Great universities surrounded by ancient history makes this city a popular choice for students. The education is great and would be excellent for a history major. Student dorms on campus and student apartments off campus are some of the housing options available. Athens is a more affordable city than other European cities and jobs are available, which can help keep the cost down.

The Universities main language that is used in their education is Greek, but many universities would have courses or programs available that offer education in a different language, such as English. If you are taking courses in the local language, Greek, you may be required to test to prove your proficiency in the language.

Here are some main higher education institutions in Athens, Greece:

Panteion University

The American College of Greece

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Getting a Job in Athens, Greece

Athens has an array of different job opportunities. The most popular options would be involved around a university, museum, or the tourism industry. There are countless job opportunities for everyone who is interested in the ancient city. Keep in mind that competition will be stiff, and you will want an excellent resume to stand out.

The main language used is Greek, which will be essential to living and working in the city. However, because of the influence of international scholars and tourists, English can be very beneficial. However, Athens is a world hub and you may find that there are other languages spoken as well.

If you are a citizen of Greece, you can start applying for jobs in Athens immediately. You won’t have to wait for any extra papers. If you are moving from abroad, remember that France has their own work visa that you will have to apply and be approved for before you can begin working in the country.

Here are some websites for job hunting in Athens:

Kariera.gr

Jobfind.gr

Job in Athens

Quality of Life in Athens

It is safe to say that the quality of life in Athens is high. The city is full of gorgeous ancient architecture, museums, landmarks, and streets. You can take a trip to the Parthenon or explore the Acropolis of Athens. You will find that this city is packed full of stunning ancient history. As well, Athens’ landscape is gorgeous. From the beaches to the hills, Athens delivers in entertainment.

where to stay in athens

Athens is a safe city, though there are parts that may be more insecure. The police do their job to ensure the city stays safe, but you should still take caution. There is petty crime and it is best to be aware of your belongings and surroundings.

The climate of Athens is hot. Temperatures in the summer can be scorching hot, reaching 90 degrees or more in Fahrenheit. In winter, the temperatures drop to the cooler low 60s, but it stays fairly nice all year long. However, there can always be periods of extreme weather or temperature change, but you shouldn’t ever need a winter jacket.

If you are visiting Athens and other cities in Greece soon you may want to check some of our other guides to the country. Check the best places to places to stay in Athens and our article on the where to stay in Corfu. You can also check how to travel from Athens to Thessaloniki.

Other Resources for Expats and Travelers

Salaries Worldwide: check our articles on wages worldwide and understand better the economics of the countries you may be considering to move or invest.

Retire Abroad: check our retirement guides and maximize your retirement income and quality of life.

Jetradar: compare and find the cheapest air fares worldwide.