Athens, OH vs St. Marys, OH

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. St. Marys is 20.9% cheaper than Athens. With a cost index of 69 vs 83, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from St. Marys to Athens should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Athens is $1,029/month compared to $835/month in St. Marys — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Marys is more affordable at $138,500 median vs $242,200.

Median household income in Athens is $37,059 compared to $72,056 in St. Marys (-48.6%). St. Marys offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Athens spend roughly 33.3% of their income on rent, more than the 13.9% in St. Marys. The St. Marys ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.