Xenia, OH vs Athens, OH: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Athens, OH has a modeled overall cost index 5.0% lower than Xenia, OH.

Xenia, OH · modeled 2BR rent
$1,190 / month
Athens, OH · modeled 2BR rent
$1,260 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Xenia, OH and Athens, OH using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated savings: $206/month in Athens, OH

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $147,525 in Athens, OH

Regional cost estimates: Xenia, OH uses Cincinnati, OH. Athens, OH uses Columbus, OH. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↓ 5.0%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$206
Savings
Annual Impact
$2.5K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Xenia, OH

Population:26K
Cost Index:
86.2
100 = national average
Typical Home:$246K

Athens, OH

Population:25K
Cost Index:
81.9
100 = national average
Typical Home:$233K

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Xenia, OH

The Buckeye State

26K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Ohio, this city has a population of 26K residents.

Athens, OH

The Buckeye State

25K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Ohio, this city has a population of 25K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Xenia, OH vs Athens, OH

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Other
↓ 9.0%
Xenia, OH
$1,806
Athens, OH
$1,643
Difference
$163
less
Housing
↓ 7.3%
Xenia, OH
$2,103
Athens, OH
$1,950
Difference
$153
less
Transportation
↑ 5.5%
Xenia, OH
$1,366
Athens, OH
$1,442
Difference
$75.30
more
Healthcare
↑ 4.4%
Xenia, OH
$644
Athens, OH
$672
Difference
$28.06
more
Groceries
↑ 2.2%
Xenia, OH
$1,050
Athens, OH
$1,073
Difference
$22.79
more
All Utilities
↓ 3.1%
Xenia, OH
$530
Athens, OH
$514
Difference
$16.42
less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$870
To$1,040
↑ $170
1 Bed
From$940
To$1,050
↑ $110
2 Bed
From$1,190
To$1,260
↑ $70.00
3 Bed
From$1,540
To$1,540
→ $0
Xenia, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $940–$940/mo

Athens, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,050–$1,050/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Xenia, OH
$7,294
Monthly in Athens, OH
$206
Difference

Home Values

Xenia
Athens
$246K
Median Value
$233K
↑ +5%
YoY Change
↑ +5.6%
↑ +37.7%
5-Year Change
↑ +28.7%

Homes in Athens are 5% less expensive than Xenia

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
→ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Xenia, OH

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Ohio State Tax
Effective: 3.0%
$4.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 27.6%
$41.4K
Take-Home Pay
$9,047/month
$108.6K

Athens, OH

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Ohio State Tax
Effective: 3.0%
$4.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 27.6%
$41.4K
Take-Home Pay
$9,047/month
$108.6K

Additional Tax Information

Xenia, OH Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%
Property Tax:1.6%

Athens, OH Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%
Property Tax:1.6%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Xenia
Athens
52 Moderate
Air Quality
53 Moderate
44.8%
Good Air Days
41.3%
96 High
Climate Risk
98 High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🌪
▲+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.1°F
29 days
Heat Days >95°F
18 days
▲+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.1°F
29 days
Heat Days >95°F
18 days

Before moving from Xenia, OH to Athens, OH

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Athens, OH for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Xenia, OH. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Xenia to Athens moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Athens, OH by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Xenia, OH vs Athens, OH

How do the cost estimates for Xenia, OH and Athens, OH compare?

Athens, OH has a modeled overall cost index 5.0% lower than Xenia, OH. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Xenia, OH, the model estimates $147,525 in Athens, OH. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Xenia, OH and Athens, OH?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,190/month in Xenia, OH and $1,260/month in Athens, OH. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

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