In Athens, a typical home is worth $247,000 and typical rent is $1,011 a month. Compared with all of Athens County, the typical home value is 34% higher, typical household income is 32% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 28 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $193,955 to $244,064.
Typical rent
$1,103a month
Typical rent from Zillow, March 2026 to September 2026: from $1,091 to $1,103.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Athens is in Athens County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Athens County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Athens has the lowest homeownership rate of the 292 cities in Ohio with more than 5,000 people: 33%.
2
Athens has the 6th largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 253 cities in Ohio with more than 5,000 people (68%).
3
Athens has the 7th lowest typical household income of the 292 cities in Ohio with more than 5,000 people ($38,204).
4
Nearby, in Wellston, the typical home value is $124,000: 50% less than in Athens ($247,000).
5
The typical home in Athens is worth $247,000,34% more than in Athens County as a whole ($185,000).
6
Nearby, in Logan, the typical rent is $726: 28% less than in Athens ($1,011).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Athens
What homes there are in Athens, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Athens
Athens County
Ohio
United States
Kind of home: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
Athens County
Ohio
United States
Detached house
42%
60%
69%
61%
Attached house
7%
3%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
17%
11%
8%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
35%
13%
15%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
12%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
No kind of home is the majority in Athens; the largest group, detached houses, adds up to 42%, less than in Athens County (60%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Athens
Athens County
Ohio
United States
Year built: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
Athens County
Ohio
United States
Before 1960
38%
33%
38%
26%
1960–1979
22%
21%
26%
24%
1980–1999
19%
28%
20%
25%
2000–2009
11%
10%
10%
14%
2010 or later
10%
8%
7%
11%
Homes in Athens are older: the typical year built is 1970; in Athens County, 1977.
Homes in Athens are smaller: 52% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Athens County, 61%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200K28%
$200K–$300K33%
$300K–$500K26%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
28%
$200K–$300K
33%
$300K–$500K
26%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99940%
$1,000–$1,49931%
$1,500–$1,99913%
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
40%
$1,000–$1,499
31%
$1,500–$1,999
13%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$1,599 a month
Athens County: $1,396 a month
Without a mortgage
$607 a month
Athens County: $527 a month
Owners with a mortgage
59%
Athens County: 47%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Athens is $1,599 a month, more than in Athens County ($1,396); without one, $607.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Athens+29%
Athens County+43%
Ohio+47%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Athens+16%
Athens County+19%
Ohio+28%
United States+33%
Typical household income
AthensNo clear change
Athens County+37%
Ohio+26%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
Athens County
Ohio
United States
Typical home value
+29%
+43%
+47%
+53%
Typical rent
+16%
+19%
+28%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+37%
+26%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Athens rose 29%; in Athens County, it rose 43%.
Rents in Athens rose more slowly than in Athens County: 16% since 2015–2019, against 19%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
Athens County
Ohio
United States
Rental vacancy
7.3%
7.2%
4.4%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.6%
1.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.30
2.35
2.37
2.53
Drive alone
46%
65%
75%
69%
Carpool
8%
10%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
23%
11%
2%
3%
Work from home
20%
13%
13%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
In Athens, the rental vacancy rate is 7.3%, about the same as in Athens County.
By size, households in Athens look like those in Athens County: 2.30 people on average.
Many here get to work on foot or by bike: 23%, more than in Athens County (11%).
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Athens?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Athens, worth $247,000, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 67% of the typical household income in Athens, which is $38,204 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $91,855 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Athens County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Athens. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $8,645 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$2,143
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$242,526
Total interest
$348,938
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $4,171 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $891 a month
Tight
$891 to $1,146 a month
Hard
more than $1,146 a month
Your payment · 67%
Compared with the typical household income in Athens ($38,204 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,643
Property tax
$288
Home insurance
$103
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$109
You need at least $8,645 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $2,143; principal and interest $1,643.
The city and its county
Athens and Athens County
Athens is in Athens County, Ohio. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Athens
Map of Athens County, Ohio, with Athens marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Athens
Athens County
Other cities with a page
Athens's own numbers
Typical home value
$247,000
Typical monthly rent
$1,011
Typical yearly household income
$38,204
Households that own their home
33%
Effective property tax rate
1.4%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Athens County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,129
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+52%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
12%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Athens County.
A typical home in Athens is worth $247,000: 34% above the county and 15% above Ohio. With the typical household income in Athens ($38,204 a year), a typical home costs 6.5 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Athens6.5 years
County3.3 years
Ohio3.0 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Athens County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Athens County rose 70% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Athens County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Athens County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +0.5% +0.5% 2016
2017: +5.4% +5.4% 2017
2018: +1.0% +1.0% 2018
2019: +1.1% +1.1% 2019
2020: +3.3% +3.3% 2020
2021: +8.6% +8.6% 2021
2022: +10.4% +10.4% 2022
2023: +7.5% +7.5% 2023
2024: +9.2% +9.2% 2024
2025: +8.0% +8.0% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Athens County, Ohio and the United States
Period
County
Ohio
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+8.0%
+4.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+52%
+53%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+70%
+93%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Athens next to Athens County, Ohio and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Athens$247,000
County$185,000
Ohio$214,800
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Athens$1,011
County$939
Ohio$1,034
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Athens$38,204
County$56,001
Ohio$71,389
United States$80,734
See the full table
Athens next to Athens County and Ohio
Measure
Athens
Athens County
Ohio
U.S.
Typical home value
$247,000 ▲34% above the county
$185,000
$214,800
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,011 ▲8% above the county
$939
$1,034
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$38,204 ▼32% below the county
$56,001
$71,389
$80,734
Households that own their home
33% ▼28 points below the county
60%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$3,447 ▲59% above the county
$2,167
$2,822
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.4% ▲0.23 points above the county
1.17%
1.31%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
68% ▲10 points above the county
58%
46%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Athens County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Athens
For a typical $247,000 home in Athens, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Athens's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,143a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$8,645
Cash to close
$16,055
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $109
Conventional, 5% down$2,098a month
Down payment
$12,350
Cash to close
$19,760
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $117
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,730a month
Down payment
$49,400
Cash to close
$56,810
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,958a month
Down payment
$37,050
Cash to close
$44,460
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Athens
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,143
$8,645
$242,526
7.18%
FHA MIP · $109
$16,055
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,098
$12,350
$234,650
7.18%
PMI · $117
$19,760
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,730
$49,400
$197,600
7.18%
None
$56,810
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,958
$37,050
$209,950
8.18%
None
$44,460
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Athens is $1,011 a month: 8% above the county. In Athens, 68% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Athens County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,129 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $21.71 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Athens County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$965
$18.56
$38,600
1 bedroom
$992
$19.08
$39,680
2 bedrooms
$1,129
$21.71
$45,160
3 bedrooms
$1,415
$27.21
$56,600
4 bedrooms
$1,484
$28.54
$59,360
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Athens
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Athens is in ZIP code 45701.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,210: $81 more than the fair market rent for Athens County ($1,129).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Athens, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
45701
$1,030
$1,060
$1,210
$1,520
$1,590
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
45701 $1,210$1,520
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Athens when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 8 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Athens. These are the largest.
Campus Heights Phase II115 Carriage Hill Dr, Athens 45701120 homes, 84 low-income · For families
Athens-Fairfield93 W Union St, Athens 4570162 low-income homes · For older adults(740) 592-4025
Carpenter Hall19 E Carpenter St, Athens 4570153 low-income homes · For older adults(740) 593-5109
Heritage Commons22 Kurtz St, Athens 4570145 low-income homes · For older adults(740) 593-5464
Hope Drive Apartments101 Hope Dr, Athens 4570144 low-income homes · Run by Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority · Average payment: $506 a month · Average wait: 8 months(740) 592-4481
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Athens County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Athens or Athens County. The ones below are statewide in Ohio: they work in Athens the same as in the rest of the state.
Ohio state agency help of 2.5% or 5% of the price for the down payment, closing costs or other costs before closing, forgiven after seven years; if you sell sooner, you repay all of it.Offered by Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA).
Ohio state agency certificate that turns part of your mortgage interest into a credit on your federal tax return, up to $2,000 a year: 40% with an OHFA mortgage (MTC Plus) or 15% to 20% with another mortgage (MTC Basic).Offered by Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Athens or Athens County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Athens and all of Athens County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Athens?
The typical home value in Athens is $247,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Athens County it is $185,000.
How much does it cost to rent in Athens?
Typical rent in Athens is $1,011 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Athens County is $1,129.
What is the FHA loan limit in Athens?
Athens uses the FHA limit for all of Athens County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Athens?
The typical homeowner in Athens pays $3,447 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.4% of the home’s value; in Athens County, the rate is 1.17%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Athens?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Athens County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
