Cost of Living

It’s always cheaper to live in a small town than in a large metroplex. That is certainly true in the case of Athens. The Cost of Living Index is 81.5 That means it’s cheaper to live here than most other large, popular cities and cheaper than even some other small towns.

$180,000
Median Home Cost

Eating Out

When deciding to eat, you choose one of our locally owned and operated eateries such as, Athens Boathouse, Athens Brewing Company, The Athens Cafe, Railway Cafe, Benson’s Eats & Treats, Cellar Door Restaurant at Tara Winery, Kei’s Asian Kitchen, Athens Country Club or one of the several Mexican and Bar-b-que places in town.You won’t find any Michelin 3 Star restaurants in Athens but that means you can eat out affordably whether you go to one of the chain restaurants like Applebees, McAlister’s Deli or Cotton Patch Cafe. If you can’t find what you’re craving in Athens there are many affordable restaurant options in the city of Tyler, just 35 miles east.

Athens, TX Brewery pouring a glass of their craft beer

Fun & Entertainment

The cost of a concert or show in Athens varies like it does in any town but some of the most fun you can have here is free, like most of the Old Fiddlers Contest and Reunion, visiting The Edwin L. Cox, Jr. Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, the East Texas Arboretum, spending the day on a boat on Lake Athens, strolling through the art galleries or antique shops downtown or just hanging out at a park.

NO
Income Tax
8.25%
Sales Tax Rate

55+

Texas participates in the national Certified Retirement Community program and Athens is one of the communities certified by the state. That means Texas recognizes Athens “as a premier location for retirees.” Cities are evaluated on criteria important to retirees such as, affordable cost of living, low taxes, low crime rate, quality medical care, recreation, educational and cultural opportunities, and most importantly - a warm, welcoming community.

Cost of Living Index

Food, groceries and transportation costs are well below most other cities and the cost of utilities, health care and most other things are close to the Cost of Living base value of 100.

Location

Cost of Living Index

Athens, TX

81.5

Albuquerque, NM

97

Austin, TX

117

Dallas, TX

95

El Paso, TX

84

Houston, TX

102

Little Rock, AR

89

Memphis, TN

74

New Orleans, LA

96

Oklahoma City, OK

87

Phoenix, AZ

99

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