Cost of Living in Heraklion - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,575 monthly including rent, or $1,002 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,474 with rent, or $1,708 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,374 including rent, or $2,414 for daily expenses alone.

Heraklion sits about 19% above the global median. Within Europe, costs are 11% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.13 €12.16
$4.96 €4.26
$35.33 €30.39
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.4 €50.2
$46.72 €40.19
$93.4 €80.4
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.56 €9.94
$10.41 €8.95
$11.56 €9.94
Cappuccino
$3.89 €3.35
$2.28 €1.96
$5.71 €4.91
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18 €1.87
$1.13 €0.97
$4.52 €3.89
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60 €0.52
$0.60 €0.52
$0.71 €0.61
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.96 €5.13
$4.17 €3.59
$7.14 €6.14
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.76 €4.96
$5.19 €4.46
$9.22 €7.93
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.84 €1.58
$1.25 €1.07
$2.84 €2.45
White Bread (500g)
$1.49 €1.28
$0.94 €0.81
$2.33 €2.00
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.70 €2.32
$1.63 €1.40
$4.65 €4.00
Eggs
$5.56 €4.79
$4.10 €3.53
$6.82 €5.87
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.98 €14.61
$13.90 €11.96
$23.17 €19.93
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.37 €9.78
$9.12 €7.84
$13.68 €11.77
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.65 €12.60
$13.74 €11.82
$16.02 €13.78
Apples (1kg)
$2.25 €1.93
$1.83 €1.58
$3.21 €2.76
Banana (1kg)
$2.13 €1.83
$1.89 €1.63
$2.86 €2.46
Oranges (1kg)
$1.45 €1.24
$1.14 €0.98
$2.27 €1.96
Tomato (1kg)
$1.84 €1.58
$1.40 €1.20
$2.09 €1.80
Potato (1kg)
$1.30 €1.12
$0.92 €0.79
$1.60 €1.38
Onion (1kg)
$1.53 €1.31
$0.80 €0.69
$1.73 €1.49
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.87 €0.75
$0.66 €0.57
$1.11 €0.95
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66 €0.57
$0.34 €0.29
$0.89 €0.77
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.29 €4.55
$5.18 €4.45
$5.41 €4.65
Wine (Bottle)
$8.05 €6.92
$5.75 €4.95
$11.50 €9.89
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09 €1.80
$1.37 €1.18
$3.43 €2.95
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.39 €2.92
$1.18 €1.02
$5.90 €5.07
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.59 €1.37
$1.36 €1.17
$1.82 €1.56
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$46.27 €39.80
$34.71 €29.85
$75.2 €64.7
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.53 €3.90
$4.53 €3.90
$4.53 €3.90
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.60 €9.98
$11.60 €9.98
$17.41 €14.97
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.16 €1.86
$2.09 €1.80
$2.34 €2.01
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K €30.1K
$29.3K €25.2K
$35.0K €30.1K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8K €22.2K
$25.2K €21.7K
$27.5K €23.6K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$216 €186
$139 €120
$290 €250
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.89 €19.69
$17.20 €14.79
$31.99 €27.52
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.02 €31.85
$30.36 €26.12
$46.71 €40.18
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$52.7 €45.32
$46.83 €40.28
$58.5 €50.4
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$39.87 €34.30
$17.09 €14.70
$68.4 €58.8
Cinema Ticket
$9.36 €8.05
$8.18 €7.04
$11.69 €10.06
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$431 €371
$411 €353
$450 €387
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,159 €3,578
$4,159 €3,578
$10.7K €9,192
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$100 €86.3
$59.0 €50.8
$142 €122
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.48 €39.98
$34.86 €29.99
$69.7 €60.0
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.6 €77.1
$76.0 €65.3
$93.5 €80.4
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$133 €114
$103 €88.7
$160 €138
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$555 €477
$471 €405
$706 €607
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$424 €364
$371 €319
$522 €449
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,044 €898
$878 €755
$1,171 €1,007
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$875 €752
$692 €595
$1,038 €893
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,014 €3,452
$3,289 €2,829
$4,699 €4,042
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,848 €2,450
$2,297 €1,976
$4,250 €3,655
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,156 €994
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.44
4.3
7

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $555 for a central one-bedroom, or $424 outside the center. At 48% of the average salary ($1,156), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,156, while typical expenses reach $1,575. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $309 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $58.0 for two – well below the European average of $75.0.

Public transport is priced at around $46.27 per month – roughly in line with the European average of $48.00.

Cost Highlights

Eggs is more expensive than 95% of cities in Europe

Gasoline is more expensive than 90% of cities in Europe

Heraklion Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Heraklion - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Cost of Living in Heraklion, Greece compare for travelers and long-term stays, and who tends to find it good value?
Compared with larger European cities, Cost of Living in Heraklion, Greece tends to feel more approachable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who prioritize lifestyle over luxury. You’ll find affordable meals in tavernas and markets, plus a range of housing from cozy apartments to shared flats in historic districts. The city offers a walkable center and solid public transport without the heft of bigger metros. For long stays, look for leases a little outside the busiest tourist zones and practice self-catering to stretch your budget. Seasonal summers bring energy and crowds; fall and spring offer calmer, more predictable costs. Tip: Start with a shorter lease to gauge seasonality and explore different neighborhoods before committing.
What should you know about daily life here, from housing search to groceries, transit, and setting up a work spot?
Housing ranges from compact apartments near the harbor to quieter flats farther from the center; long-term leases help you test areas. For groceries, local markets and bakeries offer fresh options, with casual meals available at tavernas and cafeterias. Transit is practical: walkable core, reliable buses, and easy scooter or bike rental for longer trips. Co-working spaces are common with wifi-friendly desks and meeting rooms. Plan errands around local hours and seasonal rhythms in smaller neighborhoods nearby. Heraklion, Greece living cost remains approachable when you balance home cooking with occasional dining out and smart transit use. Tip: Use a transit app to plan routes and schedules, and mix work breaks with nearby cafés to save time.
Which budgeting approach supports a high quality of life, and how do seasonality and neighborhood choice influence daily routines?
Adopt a simple, flexible budgeting framework: divide spending into housing, food, transport, and activities, then adjust monthly targets based on how often you dine out or travel. Favor neighborhoods that balance walkability with quieter streets, and stay open to seasonal shifts in markets and events. Seasonality affects crowds, hours, and availability, so plan ahead for busy periods and use calmer months to explore. Save by cooking at home, shopping at markets, and using public transit or biking. Building community through meetups or coworking groups also helps stretch your budget and enrich your stay. Tip: Build a monthly checklist and review it to stay aligned with your goals.
Does Heraklion offer good value for money?
At around $1,575 monthly all-in, Heraklion offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.
How expensive is daily life in Heraklion?
Everyday life in Heraklion is moderately priced at about $1,575 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
Is the average income in Heraklion enough to cover living costs and save?
At $1,156 take-home, most residents in Heraklion can cover the $1,575 monthly cost of living. Those earning $2,363 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
How much should I budget for housing in Heraklion?
Where you live in Heraklion makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $555; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $424. Overall, the market runs from $424 to $555 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What does commuting cost in Heraklion?
A monthly transit pass in Heraklion goes for roughly $46.27, which is one of the lighter items on a monthly budget. Coverage across residential and business areas is solid, and most residents without a car rely on it daily.
What are kindergarten prices in Heraklion?
Childcare averages $431 monthly at a private kindergarten in Heraklion. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.
Is $1,500 a month enough for Heraklion?
Living on $1,500 in Heraklion means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,575. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
Is Heraklion a good place to retire?
Retirees thrive in Heraklion – living costs average around $1,575 monthly, healthcare is affordable and accessible, and the overall vibe supports a fulfilling, low-stress retirement.
Is it possible to save on a local salary in Heraklion?
Monthly expenses in Heraklion run around $1,575, so putting money aside takes more than $2,363 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
How budget-friendly is Heraklion for travelers?
Budget travel in Heraklion works but takes effort. Hostels, street food, and local restaurants keep daily costs reasonable. All-in monthly expenses run about $1,575 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.

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