Athens, AL Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Athens, AL Summary

Cost of living in Athens research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Athens is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Alabama, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Athens is 91, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Athens is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • Athens ranks as the #55 cheapest in Alabama out of 119.

  • Athens ranks as the #1,347 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Athens is $304,247.

  • The median income in Athens is $65,000.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
91
Athens's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Athens, AL?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Athens has an overall cost of living index of 91, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Alabama, Athens has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Alabama's index of 90.

The standard of living in Athens ranks as #55 most affordable out of the 119 places we measured in Alabama. By definition, that implies Athens ranks as the #64 most expensive place in the Heart of Dixie.

For more reading on life in Athens, check out:

55 out of 119
In Alabama
1,347 out of 6,489
In America

Athens Cost Of Living Vs. Alabama

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Athens. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Athens is 97.

  • The Groceries index in Athens is 97.

  • The Health index in Athens is 83.

  • The Housing index in Athens is 85.

  • The Transportation index in Athens is 86.

  • The Utilities index in Athens is 97.

Living Expense Athens Alabama National Average
Overall 91 90 100
Services 97 97 100
Groceries 97 98 100
Health 83 86 100
Housing 85 74 100
Transportation 86 93 100
Utilities 97 102 100
For more reading on cost of living around Alabama, check out:
Athens Cost of Living Vs. AL

Athens, AL Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Alabama, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Athens is $304,247.

  • The Median Rent in Athens is $834.

  • The Median Income in Athens is $65,000.

  • The Home Value To Income in Athens is 4.7x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Athens is 0.15x.

Statistic Athens Alabama United States
Median Home Value $304,247 $232,780 $303,400
Median Rent $834 $963 $1,348
Median Income $65,000 $62,027 $78,538
Home Value To Income 4.7x 3.8x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.15x 0.19x 0.21x
$304,247
Median Home Value
$834
Median Rent
$65,000
Median Income

Athens, AL Costs By Category

Detailed Athens Services Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Athens Alabama
Shampoo $1.11 $1.28
Movie $11.52 $12.13
Bowling $18.22 $18
Haircut $16.56 $24.26
Beauty Salon $43.94 $45.56

Detailed Athens Groceries Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Athens Alabama
Ground Beef $5.55 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.41 $1.57
Milk $4.52 $4.67
Potatoes $5.42 $4.93
Pizza $11.35 $12.09
Beer $10.33 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.76 $3.7

Detailed Athens Health Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Athens Alabama
Optometrist $86.78 $125.68
Doctor $88.83 $135.78
Dentist $91.06 $113.29

Detailed Athens Transportation Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Athens Alabama
Gasoline $3.08 $3.46
Tire Balancing $51.25 $59.92

Detailed Athens Utilities Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Athens Alabama
All Electricity $172.88 $193.99
Phone $213.41 $192.25

Athens SnackAbility

6
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
6/10
Housing
6
Affordability
8
Diversity
8.5
Safety
N/A
Amenities
8
Education
8
Commute
8

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Athens

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Athens. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Huntsville, AL has a cost of living index of 99, 1.1x Athens.

  • Madison, AL has a cost of living index of 107, 1.2x Athens.

  • Decatur, AL has a cost of living index of 90, 1.0x Athens.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Athens
Huntsville, AL 218,814 99 1.1x
Madison, AL 58,335 107 1.2x
Decatur, AL 57,760 90 1.0x
Florence, AL 41,231 85 0.9x
Cullman, AL 18,894 89 1.0x
Muscle Shoals, AL 16,670 90 1.0x
Hartselle, AL 15,586 88 1.0x
Lewisburg, TN 12,607 89 1.0x
Lawrenceburg, TN 11,732 86 0.9x
Pulaski, TN 8,305 86 0.9x

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