Living in Athens, New York

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Athens · Census data 2020–2024

Athens has 1,943 residents with a median age of 45.4. The median household income is $84,107 (about the same as the New York median), the median home value is $325,600, the median rent is $1,146/month.

Athens at a glance

Population
1,943
Median age
45.4State: 39.8
Median household income
$84,107State: $85,974
Median home value
$325,600State: $423,800
Median rent
$1,146/moState: $1,621
Homeowners
76.1%
Bachelor's degree or higher
40.4%
Average commute
29 min

Is Athens a good place to live?

Pros: Home values 23% lower than the state median; an average commute of 29 minutes; unemployment of 5.6%; a poverty rate of 11.1%.

Cons: Median household income about the same as the New York median.

The weather is best in May–June and August–September.

Cost of living in Athens

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Athens the median home value is $325,600, about the same as the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,146 per month, which is 26.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,211 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Athens$325,600
New York$423,800
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Athens$1,146
New York$1,621
United States$1,413

Athens median household income

The median household income in Athens is $84,107 and the income per person is $48,100. 11.1% of residents live below the poverty line (New York: 14%).

Median household income

Athens$84,107
New York$85,974
United States$80,734

Housing in Athens: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
948
Owner-occupied
76.1%
Renter-occupied
23.9%
Vacant
20%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1954
Average household size
2.52

Athens demographics

Population
1,943
Median age
45.4
Under 18
15.4%
65 and older
24.8%
Households
758
Foreign-born
13.1%
Veterans
7.5%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White85.9%
Hispanic or Latino13%
Black3.7%
Asian3.2%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Athens ›

Education in Athens

40.4% of adults 25 and older in Athens have a bachelor's degree or higher (New York: 40.2%), and 23.4% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Athens40.4%
New York40.2%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Athens

Unemployment rate
5.6%State: 6.4%
Average commute
29 minState: 33 min
Work from home
15.3%
Drive alone
77.3%
Public transit
0.9%
Walk to work
4.2%
Homes with broadband
85.4%

Athens vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Athens1,943$84,107$325,600$1,146
Hudson5,865$54,139$389,900$1,343
Lorenz Park1,991$85,188$222,000$2,031
Sleepy Hollow Lake1,354$110,100$297,300—
Stottville1,045$60,872$166,100$1,352
Jefferson Heights1,192$68,775$277,800$1,451
Leeds242$62,250$207,400—
Catskill3,779$79,423$242,500$1,087
Claverack-Red Mills925$61,902$392,000—

More for people moving to Athens

Athens ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Athens: FAQ

What is the median household income in Athens, NY?

The median household income in Athens is $84,107, about the same as the New York median of $85,974 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

What is the average home price in Athens?

The median home value in Athens is $325,600, compared with $423,800 in New York.

How much is rent in Athens?

The median gross rent in Athens is $1,146 per month, about 26.6% of household income.

Is Athens, NY a good place to live?

Pluses: home values 23% lower than the state median; an average commute of 29 minutes; unemployment of 5.6%; a poverty rate of 11.1%. Minuses: median household income about the same as the New York median.

What is the median age in Athens?

The median age in Athens is 45.4 years (New York: 39.8).

How long is the commute in Athens?

The average commute to work in Athens is 29 minutes; 15.3% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Athens?

The unemployment rate in Athens is 5.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Athens?

40.4% of adults in Athens have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.

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