Athens Too Expensive for Locals Due to Low Incomes

Athens is cheaper than many European cities in many respects, but this is not at all the case for the local population with low average salaries, writes Greek daily Kathimerini.

For Athenians, rent is a particularly significant expense. For a one-bedroom apartment in the center of Athens, which on average rents for 640 euros, Athenians may have to allocate 55 percent of the average salary of 1,158 euros.

Some cities in Europe are even more expensive in this regard, with the rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the center of Lisbon costing 1,430 euros, while the average income is 1,432 euros.

A similar apartment in central London will cost a local resident 2,677 euros per month, or 70 percent of their salary. Rent is also more expensive relative to the average salary in Rome (65 percent) and Madrid (64 percent).

However, there are also major European cities where the ratio of rent to average salary is more favorable, such as Vienna (38 percent of salary), Paris and Berlin (each 45 percent of the average salary).

In relation to income, restaurants and fast food are relatively expensive for Athenians. An average meal costing 15 euros is the same as in Paris, Berlin, Rome, and Lisbon, and only slightly cheaper than in Vienna—even though in all these cities, average salaries are significantly higher than in Greece.

In Athens, writes Kathimerini, meat is comparatively expensive, while fruit and vegetables are much more affordable. Milk, at 1.66 euros, is the most expensive among all the cities included in the analysis, writes Kathimerini.

The Greek capital has the third cheapest public transport among European capitals, but due to high taxes, it also has the most expensive fuel, the daily reports. Education is also cheap by comparison, and in terms of real estate prices, although they are rising in Athens, only Bucharest is cheaper.