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City Report · TX

Athens

Pop. 13,200·249th most expensive in Texas·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,221/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+4.5%
vs US Median
-$741
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Athens · $1,221
More affordable than 92% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,221/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$49,000/yr
Local median income
$67,984/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Athens's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$800
1 BR
$810
2 BR
$1,000
3 BR
$1,320
4 BR+
$1,500
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,000/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,221 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$14,652/yr
At $1,221/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +4.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Athens, TX is majority owner-occupied, 21.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
13,200
Median income
$67,984
Median age
34.2
Renters
42.3%
Age distribution
22.8%
27.7%
20.1%
19.4%
Under 1822.8%
18–3427.7%
35–5420.1%
55–6410%
65+19.4%
Gender
46.5%
53.5%
Male46.5%
Female53.5%
Race & ethnicity
50.7%
13.1%
31.8%
White50.7%
Black13.1%
Hispanic31.8%
Asian2.9%
Other1.5%
Education (25+)
16.1%
34.7%
27.9%
21.3%
No HS diploma16.1%
HS diploma34.7%
Some college27.9%
Bachelor's+21.3%
Housing tenure
57.7%
42.3%
Owner57.7%
Renter42.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Athens, TX has changed in 5 years

Income
$45,625 → $67,984
up 49.0%
Population
12,719 → 13,200
up 3.8%
Renter share
43.2% → 42.3%
-0.9 pts
Bachelor's+
20.5% → 21.3%
+0.8 pts
Median age
37.9 → 34.2
-3.7 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $45,625 to $67,984 across the same window, up 49.0% versus 2021. Census counts show Athens, TX adding about 481 residents over the five-year window, up 3.8% on net.

Community

Discussions about Athens

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View Athens rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Athens on your salary?

At $1,221/mo, how Athens rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Athens rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Athens. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Athens

About renting in Athens, TX

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Athens is $1,221/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $800/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,000/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $810/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,320/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($67,984/yr), Athens ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Athens an affordable city for renters?

Athens is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,221/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($67,984/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Athens falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Athens?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $49,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,221/mo in Athens. The local median household income is $67,984/yr, meaning the typical Athens household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Athens?

Rent in Athens has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Athens rent compare to other cities in Texas?

Athens is one of the more affordable cities in Texas for rent, ranking #249 out of 267 tracked cities at $1,221/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Athens?

Kemp is nearby and more affordable at $1,213/mo, which is $8 less than Athens.

What percentage of Athens residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.3% of Athens households are renters, while 57.7% are owner-occupied. Athens leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Athens rent compare to the national average?

Athens's median rent of $1,221/mo is $741 (38%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #249 out of 267 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,221/mo, rent takes ~22% of Athens's median household income ($67,984/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Athens 22%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Athens affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Athens, TX

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