Athens, TX Cost Of Living

The latest cost of living statistics for Athens. Includes statistics on rent, mortgages, healthcare, and other costs for Athens compared to the state and national averages.

Cost of living in Athens, Texas

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 Texas, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

89 Cost of living index 0.9x lower vs US
#97 Cheapest in Texas (of 419)
#897 Cheapest in the U.S. (of 6,489)
$254,163 Median home value
$1,112 Median rent
$67,984 Median income
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What is the cost of living in Athens, TX?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Athens has an overall cost of living index of 89, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Texas, Athens has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Texas's index of 93.

The standard of living in Athens ranks as #97 most affordable out of the 419 places we measured in Texas. By definition, that implies Athens ranks as the #322 most expensive place in the Lone Star State.

For more reading on life in Athens, check out:

Athens Cost Of Living Vs. Texas

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

  • The Services index in Athens is 98.

  • The Groceries index in Athens is 95.

  • The Health index in Athens is 65.

  • The Housing index in Athens is 100.

  • The Transportation index in Athens is 103.

  • The Utilities index in Athens is 101.

Living Expense Athens Texas National Average
Overall 89 93 100
Services 98 100 100
Groceries 95 99 100
Health 65 81 100
Housing 100 97 100
Transportation 103 103 100
Utilities 101 100 100

Athens Cost Of Living Compared To Texas Averages

Services
Athens 98
Texas avg 100
Groceries
Athens 95
Texas avg 99
Health
Athens 65
Texas avg 81
Housing
Athens 100
Texas avg 97
Transportation
Athens 103
Texas avg 103
Utilities
Athens 101
Texas avg 100

Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.

For more reading on cost of living around Texas, check out:

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Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100

Athens, TX Housing Cost Breakdown

$254,163Median Home Value
$1,112Median Rent
$67,984Median Income

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Texas, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Athens is $254,163.

  • The Median Rent in Athens is $1,112.

  • The Median Income in Athens is $67,984.

  • The Home Value To Income in Athens is 3.7x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Athens is 0.2x.

Statistic Athens Texas United States
Median Home Value $254,163 $300,957 $332,700
Median Rent $1,112 $1,403 $1,413
Median Income $67,984 $78,476 $80,734
Home Value To Income 3.7x 3.8x 4.1x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.2x 0.21x 0.21x

Athens, TX Costs By Category

Detailed Athens Services costs vs. Texas
Item Athens Texas
Shampoo $1.22 $1.28
Movie $9.77 $12.13
Bowling $9.72 $18
Haircut $26.75 $24.26
Beauty Salon $54.44 $45.56
Detailed Athens Groceries costs vs. Texas
Item Athens Texas
Ground Beef $5.5 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.58 $1.57
Milk $4.54 $4.67
Potatoes $5.05 $4.93
Pizza $11.49 $12.09
Beer $10.44 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.73 $3.7
Detailed Athens Health costs vs. Texas
Item Athens Texas
Optometrist $126.64 $125.68
Doctor $111.98 $135.78
Dentist $120.97 $113.29
Detailed Athens Transportation costs vs. Texas
Item Athens Texas
Gasoline $3.08 $3.46
Tire Balancing $79.11 $59.92
Detailed Athens Utilities costs vs. Texas
Item Athens Texas
All Electricity $209.92 $193.99
Phone $199.93 $192.25

Athens SnackAbility

5Overall SnackAbility
Jobs 5/10
Housing 5/10
Affordability 6/10
Diversity 9.5/10
Safety 6/10
Amenities 8/10
Education 5/10
Commute 8/10

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:

  • Tyler, TX has a cost of living index of 97, 1.1x Athens.

  • Corsicana, TX has a cost of living index of 89, 1.0x Athens.

  • Ennis, TX has a cost of living index of 92, 1.0x Athens.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Athens
Tyler, TX 109,215 97 1.1x
Corsicana, TX 25,511 89 1.0x
Ennis, TX 22,588 92 1.0x
Terrell, TX 20,366 95 1.1x
Palestine, TX 19,136 89 1.0x
Jacksonville, TX 14,325 89 1.0x