Athens, TN vs Oak Ridge, TN

Athens is moderately more affordable than Oak Ridge, with a 13.3% lower cost of living index. Athens scores 73 compared to 84 for Oak Ridge, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Oak Ridge can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Athens is $807/month compared to $1,076/month in Oak Ridge — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Athens is more affordable at $197,300 median vs $233,500.

Median household income in Athens is $53,151 compared to $71,000 in Oak Ridge (-25.1%). While Oak Ridge is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Athens spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, less than the 18.2% in Oak Ridge.