salaryRent is lower than in 77% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.0 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 16.2 minutes. Most households rent (67%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 64.1% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $47,560 a year. That is $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Ohio cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Ohio. It is number 115 of 288 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Athens?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Athens
| Size | Athens | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $884 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $946 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,271 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,539 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,001 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Athens overall?
Everyday prices in Ohio overall are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Athens, so the Ohio figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Athens
Life in Athens
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Athens?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $525 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $247,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $24,700 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Athens, OH?
Renting in Athens costs a median of about $1,189 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Ohio median is $1,261.
How much do I need to make to live in Athens?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $47,560 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Athens cheap or expensive?
Athens is rated Expensive: rent takes 34.6% of the typical household income of $41,203. It ranks 115th cheapest of 288 Ohio cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Athens?
The median homeowner in Athens pays $3,447 a year in property taxes, about 1.40% of the median home value.
Is Athens more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Ohio 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 $247,000, about 6.0 times the typical yearly household income.
23,396 people live in Athens. Numbers are typical (middle) values.