Cost of Living in Greece: Rent, Housing & Income

Greece has a reputation as a cheap place to retire, and rent supports part of that. A one-bedroom costs far less than in much of Western Europe. Everyday prices tell a different story, and they are why the monthly total is not as low as you might expect. This page covers the country, so Athens, the islands and smaller mainland towns are averaged together. The figures are crowd-sourced estimates from Numbeo and Livingcost, converted to US dollars, so they move with exchange rates.

The sources were last checked on Oct 13, 2026.

The World Bank's price level ratio for Greece was 59.5 in 2025, with the U.S. at 100. At market exchange rates, the same basket of goods and services cost about 60% of its U.S. price.

GDP per capita, adjusted for purchasing power, was 45,264 international dollars in 2025 (U.S.: 90,027 international dollars in 2025). Consumer prices rose 2.5% in 2025 (U.S.: 2.9% in 2024).

A one-bedroom apartment in a city center is $390.52 – $892.61/mo, and outside the center $301.26 – $725.25/mo. A three-bedroom is $580.20 – $1,450.49/mo in the center and $502.09 – $1,338.92/mo outside it.

Those are low numbers, and the gap between the center and outside is small. Island rentals are a separate market, and prices there rise sharply in summer, so a long-term lease in a tourist area may not match the average. Ask about winter heating, which is not standard in every home.

The rent-free budget for one person is $876.70/mo, and that is higher than the cost of a one-bedroom in the center. Livingcost reports $649/mo without rent and $1,253/mo with it, while Numbeo estimates a family of four at $3,098.30/mo before rent.

The two sources differ on the rent-free total, as they do elsewhere, and each describes a different mix of goods. If you want a middle-of-the-road number, use the range between them.

Basic utilities for an 85 square meter apartment are $133.89 – $334.73/mo, which is high next to the rent. Heating oil, electricity for cooling and building charges all play a part. Broadband is $27.89 – $42.40/mo and a mobile plan $16.74 – $33.47/mo. A monthly public transport pass is $17.85 – $61.37/mo.

Check how an apartment is heated before you rent. Utilities can outweigh the saving from a lower rent, and an older building without insulation costs more in winter.

An inexpensive restaurant meal averages $16.74 each. A liter of milk is $1.69 each and a dozen large eggs $4.52 each.

A restaurant meal here costs about what it does in some wealthier countries in this series. Groceries are moderate, so cooking at home saves more than it would in a cheaper country.

Numbeo lists an average monthly net salary after tax of $1,125.79/mo.

Local wages are modest, so the budgets above fit people with income from abroad, a pension or a remote job better than someone working a local job. Ask about salary and housing together if you receive an offer.

• Health insurance. Check the official Greek health and immigration pages.
• Visa and residence permit fees, and any legal help.
• Flights, shipping and furnishing.
• School tuition for children.
• Taxes, which depend on residency. Ask a licensed advisor.

Athens has the jobs, services and transport, while islands and smaller towns offer quiet and lower prices outside the tourist season. Spend time in a place across seasons before you commit. Seasonal businesses may close for months, and ferries run less often in winter, which affects groceries, health care and flights.

Take the rent from the table, add the bills, and set a food budget based on how often you eat out. Because restaurant prices are not low, the habit matters. Then add a line for travel between the islands or to the mainland, a vehicle if needed, and a cushion.

An apartment in Athens near a metro line is priced differently from a house on a small island, and the rent table cannot show both. If your plan is to stay all year, look at off-season listings, which are the ones you will actually live in. Prices for the same flat can rise sharply between winter and summer on a popular island, so ask a local what a long lease normally costs before you accept a quote.

Ferries, flights and health care access matter more on an island than the rent does. Ask about the nearest hospital, the winter ferry schedule and whether the supermarket stays open outside the tourist season.