What Is The Cost Of Living In Athens, GA? (Taxes, Housing & More)

Athens, Georgia, has a population of about 125,000. It is in Clarke County. Athens is among the best places in Georgia to live. It offers residents a suburban feel. Most residents live in rental homes. There are a lot of parks, restaurants, and bars in Athens. Residents tend to be on the liberal side. Many young professionals live here. Athens has above-average schools.

The median home cost of living in Athens, Georgia, is $173,100. The cost-of-living indices are based on an average of 100 in the US. Athens has an overall index of 86.2, which means it is cheaper than the norm in the US. This report includes the living expenses for the cost to own a home, rent, property taxes, utilities, child care, food, entertainment, and education.

The minimum wage in Georgia is $7.25. It is the same as the federal minimum wage. The minimum wage applies to the majority of Georgia employees. Exceptions include some exempt occupations, student workers, and tipped employees.

Seasonal and full-time farmworkers are exempt jobs. Certain educational and nonprofit organizations can apply to the Department of Labor for a certificate allowing them to pay 85 percent of the minimum wage. The average hourly wage is $23.85. Below is a breakdown of monthly expenses in Athens, Georgia.

The median cost of homes in Athens, Georgia, is $226,797. Real estate prices are above the average cost when prices are compared nationally. Trailers and mobile homes are the single most common type of housing in Athens. Most homes in Georgia are valued at $208,833, while living in Georgia costs about $173,100, which is lower than the overall cost of living in the state.

There are homes on the market in Athens priced at well over $300,000. They range from $372,060 to $1,014,039. Those homes have square footage above 2400 and multiple bathrooms. The price of homes in Athens is the reason so many people rent.

Apartments in Athens, Georgia, cost 8.9% less than the national average. Affordable apartments exist but do not stay on the market long.

From 2019 to 2020, the average rent dropped in 12 U.S. states, and Georgia was one of them. Though, during the most severe coronavirus outbreak in 2020, rental prices plunged all throughout the state. The average rental price in Athens, Georgia is $935, which is slightly lower than the state average of $1,006.

To put things in perspective, the following table outlines how the average monthly rent in Athens compares to other cities in the state of Georgia:

Among other states that also have a sales tax, the state of Georgia has one of the lowest statewide sales taxes in the nation. The base rate is just 4.0% but cities and counties across the state can assess their own local sales taxes. This means that, depending on where you are in Georgia, you may have end up paying as much as 8.90% in sales tax.

In Clarke County, where Athens is located, the county rate is 4.0%, meaning you’ll pay a total sales tax rate of 8% in Athens, Georgia.

Utilities in Georgia exceed the national average by 3.2%. In Athens, utilities exceed the national average by 1.5%. The mean residential electricity bill is approximately $123 per month in Georgia. It ranks 11th in the US and is 14.95% greater than the $107 national average.

The average rate is 11.17 cents per kWh, which is 5.98% below the national average. However, Georgia’s consumption ranks 11th in the US and is 21.59% higher than the national average. The basic utilities in Athens include:

Athens, Georgia, is home to a few postsecondary institutions. It has public universities, private colleges, and technical colleges. The difference between in-state and out-of-state residency is substantial.

Tuition for in-state undergraduates is roughly $11,500 for full-time attendance and $20,600 for out-of-state residents. Graduate in-state resident tuition is $11,600 and $19,200 for out-of-state residents. There must be a gap year to establish in-state residency.

The University of Georgia is located in Athens. It is recognized for its commitment to student excellence. The emphasis is on rigorous learning experiences inside and outside the classroom, including opportunities for leadership and hands-on research. In-state residents’ tuition is $2909 for six hours or less and $4895 for more than six hours for undergraduates.

The University of Georgia and the Augusta University partnered to create a medical school campus in Athens. It is a four-year program meant to alleviate the shortage of physicians in the state. Tuition is $14,179 for 12 or more hours for in-state residents. It is double for out-of-state residents.

Piedmont College, near downtown Athens, offers students personal attention, small class sizes, and vibrant cultural life in a popular and historic city. In-state tuition for one year is $20, 140.

Related Questions

How much does your income need to be to live in Athens, Georgia?

Georgia is among the more affordable states in the US. A family of four living in Athens needs $70,851 per year. That is $5904 per month. Athens is the city with the lowest cost of living in Georgia.

Is Athens a good place to live?

Athens has a population of approximately 125,000. It is among the best places to reside in Georgia. Most Athens residents rent their homes. Living in Athens offers a dense suburban feel. It has a thriving music scene and rich culture. The college town has recreation activities year-round. Restaurants and over 65 shops downtown help support the small-business economy.

What industries are in Athens?

Like all thriving communities, Athens has major employers that are continually developing and growing. The community is proud of the industries that have expanded multiple times over the years. Enterprises take an active role in continuing the tradition of a bioscience talent and manufacturing pipeline.