salaryRent is lower than in 62% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.2 years of household income. Most households rent (59%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $57,040 a year. That is $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Georgia cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Georgia. It is number 60 of 168 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Athens?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Athens
| Size | Athens | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,015 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,030 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,306 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,448 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,468 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Athens overall?
Everyday prices in the Athens-Clarke County metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 93.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Athens
Life in Athens
What jobs pay in Athens
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $132,230 | 12.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,140 | 13.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $125,460 | 13.6% |
| Software Developer | $106,870 | 16.0% |
| Lawyer | $105,360 | 16.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $82,200 | 20.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,830 | 20.9% |
| Operations Manager | $81,830 | 20.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $76,650 | 22.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $76,600 | 22.3% |
| Accountant | $75,900 | 22.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,810 | 26.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $65,410 | 26.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,600 | 27.8% |
| Police Officer | $60,710 | 28.2% |
| Plumber | $57,750 | 29.6% |
| Truck Driver | $54,190 | 31.6% |
| Electrician | $49,750 | 34.4% |
| HVAC Technician | $48,890 | 35.0% |
| Carpenter | $44,740 | 38.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $38,620 | 44.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,210 | 44.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,330 | 47.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $36,320 | 47.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $33,540 | 51.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,240 | 58.5% |
| Cashier | $28,130 | 60.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $21,090 | 81.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Athens?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $650 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $299,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $29,920 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Athens, GA?
Renting in Athens costs a median of about $1,426 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Georgia median is $1,667.
How much do I need to make to live in Athens?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $57,040 a year, or $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Athens cheap or expensive?
Athens is rated OK: rent takes 30.0% of the typical household income of $57,132. It ranks 60th cheapest of 168 Georgia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Athens?
The median homeowner in Athens pays $2,596 a year in property taxes, about 0.87% of the median home value.
Is Athens more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Athens?
The median home value in Athens is $299,200, about 5.2 times the typical yearly household income.
127,345 people live in Athens. Numbers are typical (middle) values.