Athens, OH

Yes — everyday expenses in Athens run about 13% below the US average (Cost Index: 87). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $242,200, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $1,029, versus $1,348 nationally.

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,029, while local median household income is $37,059. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 33% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

Ohio has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 3.5%. The effective property tax rate is 1.53%. On a home worth $242,200, that translates to roughly $3,706 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 7.24% on everyday purchases.

The typical monthly rent in Athens is around $1,029. That's roughly 24% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $242,200, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

The median home in Athens is valued at $242,200. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,225/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 34% of residents here own their homes.

Grocery prices in Athens are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 96, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 89). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

Athens is a small town with a population of about 23,211. The median age of residents is 21.8, skewing younger — often a sign of a college town or fast-growing area. The local poverty rate is 41.57%, above the national average of 12.4%.