Athens ranks among Europe’s most unaffordable capitals for single earners

A new study by the financial‑advice platform Tradingpedia examined the cost of living in 37 European capitals using data from Numbeo and the Expatistan Cost of Living Index. The research found that a single worker in Athens faces average monthly expenses of €1,151, which is almost identical to the city’s average net monthly salary of €1,157.

Housing is the biggest burden, accounting for about 60% of the average salary. Rent for a furnished 45‑square‑metre studio, including utilities and internet, averages €685 per month—well above the 30% income threshold for affordable housing and above the 40% limit for excessive housing costs. Entertainment expenses add roughly €249 per month, one of the highest amounts in Southern Europe. As a result, single earners in Athens have little to no capacity for savings.

The study highlights the severe affordability challenges for individuals living alone in the Greek capital compared with other European cities.