Cost of Living in Athens, AL
| Cost of Living in Athens, AL | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 6% lower | 34% lower |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 2% lower | 2% higher |
| Food | 3% lower | 5% lower |
| Healthcare | 2% lower | 5% lower |
| Transportation | 38% higher | 35% higher |
| Goods & Services | 17% higher | 7% higher |
The cost of living in Athens, AL is 8% higher than the state average and 5% lower than the national average. Athens, AL housing is 34% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 2% pricier. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 5% cheaper in Athens, AL than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 7% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 5% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 7% pricier in Athens, AL.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Athens is $1,166, while home prices circle around $362,635.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Athens, energy bills cost around $219.50 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $3.40 in Athens, a dozen eggs go for around $1.78 and a pound of potatoes circles around $3.89.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Athens, an optometry check-up costs around $151.86, while a dentist appointment is priced $108.46 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $4.57 in Athens, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $85.78.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $52.66 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $53.61.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Athens, you should budget around $10.21 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $32.28, while dry cleaning costs about $14.11.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Athens, the median household income is $65,000.