Greece🇬🇷

At a Glance

How Greece compares across key indices

Quality of Life143Safety54Healthcare59Affordability52Climate93Clean Air49

Cost of Living

52 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

54/100

Healthcare

59/100

Quality of Life

143/200

Climate

93/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Greece

Cost of Living

52

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

12

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

50

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

58

100 = NYC dining

Monthly costs range from $1,542 in Thessaloniki to $1,685 in Athens

City Costs Comparison

Thessaloniki

Cheapest

$1,542/mo

Food$178

Heraklion

$1,651/mo

Food$162

Athens

$1,685/mo

Food$187

Safety & Crime

Moderate Risk

How safe residents feel in Greece — based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

54/100

Crime Index

46/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

71/100

Crime perceived as increasing

Walking Safety

Daytime74
Nighttime49

25 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Corruption & bribery
High66
Property crimes
Moderate54
Drug-related crime
Moderate53
Violent crimes
Low39

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Home broken into
Moderate48
Things stolen from car
Moderate48
Being mugged or robbed
Low44
Being physically attacked
Low39
Being insulted or harassed
Low39
Car stolen
Low38
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Low30

Based on 2,200 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Greece

Greece has 3 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,542 in Thessaloniki to $1,685 in Athens. Thessaloniki leads on safety, scoring 48/100. Thessaloniki ranks highest for quality of life at 133/200.

💸Most Affordable

Thessaloniki

$1,542/mo

Safest

Thessaloniki

48/100

Best Quality of Life

Thessaloniki

133/200

Best Healthcare

Athens

58/100

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Thessaloniki$1,54248/100133/20057/10054
Heraklion$1,651————
Athens$1,68545/100130/20058/10056

Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Greece

Healthcare Index

59/100

Quality Breakdown

Staff Skill & Competency66/100
Friendliness & Courtesy61/100
Modern Equipment59/100
Accuracy & Completeness59/100
Speed of Service50/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist35/100
Cost Satisfaction65/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 772 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Public
73.3%
Employer Sponsored
11.3%
Private
10.5%
None
4.9%
Healthcare59Safety54Quality of Life143
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Environment

Moderate

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Greece

Pollution Index

49/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Drinking Water Quality77/100
Comfortable to Spend Time65/100
Air Quality56/100
Clean & Tidy42/100
Garbage Disposal42/100
Green Spaces & Parks39/100

Concerns

Noise & Light Pollution45/100
Water Pollution32/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 915 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in Greece

Average One-Way Commute

32minutes

Average

Traffic Index

125

Moderate congestion

Inefficiency

138

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

4.3kg/trip

How People Commute

Car43.3%
Walking21.3%
Train/Metro12.1%
Bus/Trolleybus10.2%
Motorcycle7.3%
Working from Home2.8%
Bicycle2.4%
Tram/Streetcar0.6%

Based on 535 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Greece, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Greece?

Greece has a cost of living index of 52 relative to New York City (100). It is moderately affordable compared to the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,542 in Thessaloniki and reach $1,685 in Athens.

What is the cheapest city in Greece for expats?

Thessaloniki is the most affordable city in Greece with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $1,542 for a single person including rent. Heraklion is the next most affordable at $1,651/mo.

Is Greece safe for expats?

Greece has a safety index of 54/100, making it moderately safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Thessaloniki scores highest on safety at 48/100.

What is the best city in Greece for expats and digital nomads?

Thessaloniki ranks highest for quality of life in Greece, scoring 133/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $1,542/mo for a single person.

How good is healthcare in Greece?

Greece scores 59/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it adequate by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.

Is Greece cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Greece's cost of living is roughly 48% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 88% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Greece

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