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Athens
#120 of 124
Europe

Athens

Greece

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Athens compare to Phuket?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Athens is 48% worse off vs in Phuket

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Athens compared to Phuket, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$31,449
-$4K (-11%) vs Phuket
Based on 252 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$18,240
-$12K (-39%) vs Phuket
Tax Rate: 42%

Community Insights

New

Athens presents a stark dual reality for software engineers. For those working remotely with foreign capital, it offers a dream lifestyle of sun, history, and travel at a reasonable price point. However, the local labor market is challenging; the city ranks near the bottom for Net Income (#111) and Purchasing Power (#120), meaning engineers on local contracts often struggle to save or afford property. The tax wedge is high, and the housing affordability crisis (16.7 years of salary to buy a flat) is a major pain point. While the weather and social vibes are world-class, the infrastructure—ranging from bureaucracy to traffic—can be exhausting.

Resident Sentiment

The sentiment is deeply divided. Expats and digital nomads often express love for the energy, the people, and the "chaos" that makes the city feel alive, viewing the drawbacks as part of the charm. In contrast, locals and long-term residents dependent on the Greek economy express frustration and resignation regarding the economic stagnation, rising rents, and the feeling that the city is becoming a playground for tourists while becoming unlivable for workers. The phrase "love the country, hate the state" encapsulates the feeling of enjoying the culture while despising the administrative and economic structural issues.

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to Phuket.

Rankings

Comfortable Weather

Top 11%

#14

of 124 cities

85/100 weather score

Current value

Cost of Living

Middle of the pack

#42

of 124 cities

41/100

Current value (lower is better)

Community Events

Middle of the pack

#73

of 124 cities

0 events on luma

Current value

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Athens compared to Phuket?

Avg. Property Price
$3,875 / m²
5% more expensive than Phuket
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Athens to maintain the same standard of living.

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Cost of Living
16% more expensive than Phuket
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Athens

Kaizengaming logo
Kaizengaming
JPMorgan Chase logo
JPMorgan Chase
Cadence Design Systems logo
Cadence Design Systems

The Good

  • Exceptional Mediterranean Climate: Residents consistently praise the weather, with over 2,700 hours of sunshine annually and mild winters, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
  • Vibrant Social Lifestyle: The culture emphasizes leisure and connection, with a relaxed "siga siga" (slowly slowly) pace, late-night dining, and a bustling cafe culture that facilitates easy socializing.
  • Strategic Travel Hub: Athens serves as a perfect base for exploring, offering easy access to the Greek islands via ferries and cheap flights to the rest of Europe.
  • Affordable for Foreign Earners: While expensive for locals, the cost of living (#42) remains attractive for software engineers earning Northern European or US salaries, allowing for a high quality of life.
  • Culinary Scene: The availability of high-quality, affordable Mediterranean food, fresh produce, and street food like souvlaki is a universally cited highlight.
  • Safety in Most Areas: Despite some gritty neighborhoods, the city is generally regarded as safe for a major capital, with a Safety Index of 44.8 that reflects a lower violent crime rate compared to many US cities.

The Bad

  • Low Local Salaries: The median SWE salary is remarkably low (~$31k/year), resulting in a very low Purchasing Power Rank (#120) for those on local contracts.
  • Housing Crisis: Rents have surged, making housing largely unaffordable for locals; data shows it takes 16.7 years of net salary to buy a standard apartment, pushing locals out of central areas.
  • High Tax Burden: A 42% tax rate combined with low wages and high social security contributions significantly eats into net income (#111 rank), frustrating many professionals.
  • Urban Environment Issues: The city is often described as a "concrete jungle" with limited green spaces, high noise levels, heavy traffic, and a Pollution Index of 55.2.
  • Bureaucratic Hurdles: Dealing with Greek public services, visa processes, and tax authorities is frequently described as nightmarish, slow, and requiring physical presence.
  • Specific Neighborhood Safety: Certain central areas like Omonia, Victoria, and Metaxourgio are frequently flagged by residents as sketchy, dirty, and best avoided, especially at night.

The Verdict

You'll love it if...

Remote workers or digital nomads earning Western European or US salaries will thrive here, leveraging their income to enjoy a premium lifestyle that locals cannot afford. It is also ideal for history and culture buffs who can embrace the chaotic charm of the city and value social connection and outdoor leisure over silence and efficiency. People looking for a vibrant nightlife and a base to explore the Mediterranean will find it perfect.

Skip it if...

Engineers seeking career advancement within local companies or those expecting to save significant money on a local salary should avoid moving here. It is also unsuitable for those who are highly sensitive to noise, pollution, and urban density, or those who get easily frustrated by inefficiency and bureaucracy. If you prioritize a green, quiet suburban life or pristine city streets, Athens will likely be a difficult adjustment.

Updated 11/29/2025

Weather8.5/10+467% vs Phuket
Safety45-23%
Pollution55+9%
Events0
8.5/10TechCities weather score vs 1.5/10 in Phuket

0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

Weather snapshot

Average High
22°C(vs 32°C in Phuket)
Average Low
14°C(vs 25°C in Phuket)
Sunshine Hours
2,773h/yr+553h/yr(+25%)
Hottest Month High
33°C(same as Phuket)
Coldest Month Low
6°C(vs 24°C in Phuket)
Rainy Days
48/yr-106/yr(-69%)

Community & Quality

Athens community pulse

Athens has 0 Luma events listed.

Phuket has no listed Luma events for comparison.

Pollution Score

Middle of the pack

#79

of 124 cities

55.1/100

Current value (lower is better)

Safety Index

Bottom 26%

#93

of 124 cities

44.8/100

Current value

Home Affordability

Bottom 14%

#108

of 124 cities

≈17 yrs to buy 80m²

Current value

Net Income

Bottom 11%

#111

of 124 cities

$18,240/yr

Current value

Purchasing Power

Bottom 4%

#120

of 124 cities

Tax Rate

Bottom 3%

#122

of 124 cities

42%

Current value (lower is better)

SWE Affordability
17.0 years
7.2 years longer than Phuket
Muggy Days
7/yr-356/yr(-98%)
Cloud Cover
28%(vs 82% in Phuket)