😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,953 in Zakynthos versus $1,403 in Patras.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,800 in Zakynthos versus $2,220 in Patras.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,648 in Zakynthos versus $3,036 in Patras.
🌍Living in Zakynthos is roughly 39% more expensive than in Patras, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Zakynthos42% above, Patras2% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zakynthos
Patras
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$29.47€25.43
$11.82€10.20
149.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$57.8€49.90
$63.0€54.3
-8.13%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.64€10.05
$9.28€8.00
25.43%
Cappuccino
$4.93€4.25
$4.13€3.56
19.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.65€4.87
$2.35€2.03
140.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64€0.55
$0.63€0.54
1.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.55€3.92
$4.78€4.12
-4.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.07€6.10
$5.27€4.55
34.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zakynthos
Patras
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.47€2.13
$1.61€1.39
53.42%
White Bread(500g)
$2.00€1.72
$1.47€1.27
36.05%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.68€2.32
$2.52€2.17
6.35%
Eggs
$4.63€3.99
$5.27€4.55
-12.14%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.84€12.80
$11.99€10.35
23.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.96€13.77
$9.95€8.58
60.40%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.95€11.17
$14.61€12.61
-11.36%
Apples(1kg)
$3.15€2.72
$2.39€2.06
31.80%
Banana(1kg)
$2.88€2.49
$2.33€2.01
23.61%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96€1.69
$1.78€1.53
10.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.24€1.93
$2.06€1.77
8.74%
Potato(1kg)
$1.23€1.06
$1.14€0.98
7.89%
Onion(1kg)
$1.15€0.99
$1.35€1.16
-14.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.77€0.67
$0.90€0.77
-14.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$1.23€1.06
21.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.42€4.68
$5.29€4.56
2.46%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.46€6.44
$6.95€6.00
7.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39€1.20
$1.72€1.48
-19.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.14€2.71
$3.41€2.95
-7.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Zakynthos
Patras
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.72€1.49
$1.37€1.19
25.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$49.75€42.93
$64.1€55.3
-22.42%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.09€3.53
$4.52€3.90
-9.51%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.11€0.96
$1.14€0.98
-2.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$15.97€13.78
$14.56€12.57
9.68%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.15€1.85
$2.21€1.91
-2.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.2K€25.2K
$29.6K€25.5K
-1.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.6K€22.1K
$24.6K€21.2K
4.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zakynthos
Patras
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$384€331
$166€143
131.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$43.67€37.69
$24.92€21.50
75.24%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.4€43.49
$29.56€25.51
70.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zakynthos
Patras
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$29.72€25.65
$41.21€35.56
-27.88%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.74€22.21
$23.83€20.56
8.02%
Cinema Ticket
$12.87€11.11
$9.08€7.83
41.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zakynthos
Patras
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$436€376
$501€433
-12.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,959€6,868
$4,701€4,057
69.30%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zakynthos
Patras
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$118€102
$72.4€62.5
62.41%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$91.5€79.0
$36.91€31.85
147.98%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$125€108
$78.6€67.8
59.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114€98.2
$111€95.4
2.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zakynthos
Patras
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$412€355
$514€443
-19.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$405€349
$421€363
-3.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$823€710
$813€701
1.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$570€491
$721€622
-21.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,926€2,525
$2,133€1,841
37.15%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,377€2,051
$1,803€1,556
31.85%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zakynthos
Patras
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,287€1,110
$1,203€1,038
6.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.44
4.36
1.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Zakynthos: August 30, 2026
Last update for Patras: September 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $412 in Zakynthos and $514 in Patras. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Zakynthos pays 7% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $58.0 in Zakynthos vs $63.0 in Patras. Groceries flip the comparison at $344 vs $289, with Patras cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Zakynthos vs Patras: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Patras cheaper than Zakynthos?
Patras is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 39% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Zakynthos or Patras?
Average pay runs 7% higher in Zakynthos, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Zakynthos and Patras?
Rent for a central apartment: $412 in Zakynthos versus $514 in Patras. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Zakynthos and in Patras?
All in, you'll spend $1,953 per month in Zakynthos versus $1,403 in Patras – a 39% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Patras runs roughly 29% less than in Zakynthos. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Zakynthos or in Patras?
At $1,403 in Patras versus $1,953 in Zakynthos, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Patras but tight or insufficient in Zakynthos. The gap between the two cities makes Patras the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Zakynthos or in Patras?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Zakynthos or Patras?
Safety-wise, Zakynthos and Patras are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Patras gentler on the wallet – expenses run 39% less than in Zakynthos. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.