12 Expensive Cities To Live in Greece—Where the Lifestyle Is Rich and So Are the Prices

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Are you considering moving abroad? Want to escape your everyday routine? If you answered yes to either of those questions, Greece could be your dream destination. You can swim in turquoise waters, tuck into authentic Greek food, and explore historic landmarks in Greece.

However, before you move, you must know how much it costs to live in Greece’s cities. Generally, Greece is an affordable place to live compared to many European destinations. However, some cities are more expensive than others. To learn more, here are 12 of the most expensive cities to live in Greece. We selected these cities because they have a high cost of living.

Athens

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Let’s start this list of the 12 most expensive cities to live in Greece with Athens, the nation’s historic capital. Greek cities don’t get bigger or better than Athens regarding history and culture. However, it’s not the cheapest place to live in Greece. The average cost of living in Athens is approximately $1,754 monthly.

This fascinating city is home to many of Greece’s most spectacular sights, including the Acropolis of Athens. Here, you can discover many ancient ruins with historical significance, such as the Parthenon, the Temple of Zeus, and the Old Temple of Athena. Soak up the sun along the Attica Peninsula when not exploring historical landmarks.

Piraeus

Despite its proximity to Athens, Piraeus isn’t in the capital city. Instead, it’s its own city within Athens’ urban area. If you want to visit the Greek islands by boat from the mainland, you’ll likely pass through the city’s port to get there, as it’s the largest port in Greece. Piraeus is an excellent example of how affordable Greece can be.

Although the cost of living in the city is only $1,294 monthly, that’s still 3% above the national average, making it one of the nation’s most expensive cities. In Piraeus, spend your time strolling along the waterfront, exploring the Hellenic Maritime Museum and the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, and visiting Athens’ main attractions.

Chania

Found along Crete’s picturesque northwest coast, Chania is one of Greece’s most spectacular places to live. Famed for its breathtaking 14th-century harbor, you’ll quickly fall in love with the city’s beauty, charm, and character. However, you’ll have to stump up almost $1,200 monthly to live in the city.

Chania’s stunning Venetian Old Town, where you’ll find the harbor, is home to vibrant traditional houses, quaint cafes, and historical landmarks. Don’t miss the 16th-century lighthouse. Chania is also a beach lover’s paradise, offering easy access to several beaches. Two of my favorites are Nea Chora Beach and the nearby Balos Beach.

Corfu Town

Most Instagrammable Spots on the Greek Islands Corfu Old Town, Corfu — © Marcin Krzyzak / Adobe Stock

You won’t be surprised to hear that Corfu Town is the capital of Corfu, a famous tourist island off Greece’s northwest coast in the Ionian Sea. This historic city is best known for its winding cobblestone streets, Venetian architecture, and beautiful harbor. It’s also known for being one of Greece’s more expensive cities.

The average monthly cost of living for an expat in Corfu Town is over $1,800. However, if you can live like a local, you can bring costs down to around $1,100 monthly. Significant points of interest in Corfu Town include Spanada Square, the Achilleion Palace, the Anemomilos Windmill, and the Old Castle.

Rhodes City

Rhodes is a postcard-perfect Greek island in the Dodecanese, famed for its luxury resorts, pristine beaches, lush scenery, and historic architecture. Rhodes City is one of the best places to live on the island, with its medieval Old Town and beautiful beaches. Rhodes City is a strong contender for the most beautiful city in the Greek islands.

You’ll never tire of getting lost down the narrow streets, discovering historic locations, such as the Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Masters, and relaxing on Elli Beach, where you’ll find crystal-clear turquoise waters and soft golden sands. Don’t miss the Colossus of Rhodes monument, either. Regarding living costs, the cost of living in Rhodes is approximately $1,100 monthly.

Heraklion

The following Greek city on our list is Heraklion, another picturesque city on the island of Crete. Located on the island’s eastern side, this city is loved for its rich history that dates back over 3,000 years. As such, you can expect to find many ancient ruins and historical landmarks in the city.

Heraklion’s main highlight is the Old Town and Venetian walls surrounding it. You’ll find an excellent central market, the Old Harbor, the 16th-century Koules Fortress, and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. In Greek mythology, King Minos kept the Minotaur in Heraklion. If you were to live in Heraklion, you could expect to spend almost $1,100 monthly.

Fira

Fira is the capital of the iconic Santorini, a Greek island in the Aegean Sea known for its world-famous photography spots and luxury hotels. Because of the island’s popularity, Santorini isn’t an affordable place to live. Fira is one of the most expensive cities in Greece. The monthly cost of living is over $1,700.

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However, the costs are likely worth it. In Santorini, you’ll spend your free time admiring the incredible volcanic landscape, indulging in authentic Greek food and beautiful wines, and exploring historic landmarks. Popular points of interest in Fira include the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, the Bells of Fira, and the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist.

Thessaloniki

On mainland Greece, Thessaloniki is a beautiful port city on the Thermaic Gulf. It’s best known for its vibrant nightlife, delicious cuisine, and stunning Byzantine architecture. While Thessaloniki is affordable compared to other European destinations, it’s one of the more expensive places to live in Greece.

The average cost of living is approximately $1,200 monthly. In Thessaloniki, history buffs can get lost exploring several Byzantine and Paleochristian monuments, Roman structures, and a World Heritage Site. The Museum of the Macedonian Struggle is also well worth visiting. Meanwhile, keen shoppers can shop until their heart’s content on Tsimiski and Mitropoleos streets, and foodies can tuck into Greek cuisine at Martiou Market.

Volos

Volos is another beautiful Greek port city with a relatively high cost of living for the country. This vibrant city in the Thessaly region is renowned for its picturesque landscape, which features the Pagasetic Gulf and Mount Pelion. As such, you’ll likely spend most of your time in the city wandering along the waterfront and hiking.

Volos has many places to explore, but some stand out more. Points of interest you don’t want to miss include Anavros Beach, the Athanasakis Archaeological Museum of Volos, St. Konstantinos Park, and St. Nicholas Metropolitan Cathedral. Regarding the cost of living, a single person can expect to spend approximately $1,100 monthly to live in Volos.

Patras

Patras, a lively port city in Western Greece, is a relatively unheard-of Greek destination. This is surprising, considering it’s the third-largest city in the country. A big hit with students, this city offers residents two cities for the price of one. The new city is a fabulous place to shop, dine, and party, while the Old Town is brimming with 6th-century architecture.

Noteworthy attractions in Patras include the Roman Odeon, Patras Castle, the Archaeological Museum of Patras, and the Holy Church of Saint Andrew. Despite being a lesser-visited city, the cost of living in Patras is still over $1,000 monthly, including rent and utilities. That’s over $100 more than cities like Lamia.

Larissa

The penultimate Greek city on our list is Larissa, the capital of Greece’s Thessaly region and the fifth most populous city in the country. Tucked away in mainland Greece and surrounded by lush mountain landscapes, this city is the perfect place to live if you love the great outdoors.

When you’re not exploring the city’s main sights, head to Mount Ossa, where you’ll find many hiking trails and epic landscape vistas. The city itself is best known for its architecture and ancient ruins. Key highlights include Larissa Ancient Ruins, the Diachronic Museum of Larissa, and the Mill of Pappas. As for living costs, a single person living in Larissa will spend roughly $1,100 monthly.

Ioannina

The final city on our list is Ioannina, the capital and largest city of Greece’s Ioannina region. This is another excellent place to live if you love the great outdoors. The city sits on Lake Pamvotida and offers various outdoor activities, including cycling, hiking, mountain climbing, snow skiing, and paragliding.

If you’d prefer to take things easier, enjoy relaxed strolls around the lake instead. Meanwhile, spend your time in the city exploring the cobblestone streets, where you’ll find historic monuments, beautiful architecture, and several museums. You might also be pleased to hear that Ioannina has a vibrant nightlife and food scene. If you moved to Ioannina, you could expect to spend approximately $1,100 monthly, including rent and utilities.