Where Wealth Concentrates in Greece: Analysing Average Personal Income by Municipality

Where Wealth Concentrates in Greece: Analysing Average Personal Income by Municipality

Major differences in regional purchasing power are evident in the average personal income distribution among municipalities in Greece.
From municipality-level granular data, Geolocet enables us to identify higher and lower income areas, offering deep insights into the country’s economic geography.

Regional Variation

Regional analysis reveals marked contrasts between metropolitan, island, and mainland Greece.
These disparities reflect long-standing structural differences in economic activity, accessibility, and local employment opportunities.

Greece Income Map

High-Income Municipalities

A striking finding is that all but two municipalities with an average personal income above €20,000 belong to the Region of Attiki, which includes the Athens metropolitan area.
Here, administrative, financial, and professional concentrations yield the highest incomes in the country.

Key High-Income Municipalities

Municipalities such as Kifissia, Amaroussio, Psychiko, Aghia Paraskevi, and Filothei-Chalandri stand out among the wealthiest in Greece.
They are characterised by:

  • Higher white-collar employment
  • Better service provision
  • A greater proportion of residents working as managers or specialists

The preponderance of Attiki at the top income level highlights economic centralisation—there is substantially greater business and professional activity in and around the capital than anywhere else in Greece.

Exceptions Beyond Attiki

Only two municipalities outside of Attiki exceed €20,000 in average personal income:

  • Rethymno (Region of Kriti) – Combines tourism, services, and education, benefiting from both a local university and diversified economic activity.
  • Mykonos (Region of Kriti) – A luxury tourism hub with strong seasonal income inflows and one of the highest tourism revenues in Greece.

These exceptions underscore the general trend: only large urban or top-tier tourist destinations match the income levels of the Athens area.

Mid-Income and Lower-Middle-Income Municipalities

Regions such as Anatoliki Makedonia & Thraki, Dytiki Makedonia, and Sterea Ellada are dominated by municipalities with average personal incomes between €12,000 and €15,000.
These areas are largely agricultural, with some small-scale manufacturing and public sector employment, far removed from the high-income opportunities in Attiki or major island economies.

Islands and Tourism Economies

Isolated island regions like Notio Aigaio and Kriti typically record medium-level incomes (€13,000–€20,000).
Tourism sustains these economies, but income disparity is substantial, as many residents rely on seasonal or low-paid service jobs.

Low-Income Municipalities

Low-income municipalities in Greece

At the lower end of the spectrum are about 40 municipalities with average personal incomes below €12,000, primarily located in:

  • Northern and Western Greece
  • Epirus, Thessalia, and Dytiki Makedonia

Factors Behind Low Incomes

Several factors contribute to lower income levels:

  • Dependence on agriculture and limited diversification into industry or services
  • Population decline and ageing, reducing the active labour force
  • Geographical isolation, with poor access to major transport and trade routes

Examples include municipalities in Grevena, Evrytania, and Arta, all areas with low population density and limited employment opportunities.
While these communities often maintain stable but small-scale economies, the lack of dynamism results in persistently low average incomes.

Conclusion

The analysis of average personal income by municipality in Greece highlights pronounced spatial inequalities.
High-income categories are concentrated in the Athens metropolitan area, while much of the rest of the country remains in middle or lower income bands.

These patterns reflect both:

  • The economic centralisation of Greece’s development, and
  • The structural challenges of rural and regional areas.

For firms, retailers, and planners, understanding these local variations is key to:

  • Targeting areas with higher purchasing power
  • Identifying regions with untapped economic potential

With Geolocet’s detailed municipality-level data, businesses and analysts can make better-informed decisions and target their strategies effectively across all regions in Greece.

Discover our Income dataset for Greece

Our dataset covers all 333 municipalities in Greece, offering a comprehensive view of average personal income levels. The data is structured at the municipal level (LAU 1), allowing detailed analysis and comparison across regions such as Attica, Thessaloniki, Crete, Central Macedonia, and beyond.

Each municipality record contains:

  • Total population
  • Total number of households
  • Total employed persons
  • Average personal income (presented in income bands)

The dataset is based on information from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT). Geolocet further enhances and models these official statistics using proprietary data modelling techniques to ensure consistent coverage, comparability, and usability across all 333 municipalities in Greece.

Combine with other datasets

The Bulgarian Income Data can be seamlessly integrated with other Geolocet datasets for deeper insights:

Turn data into decisions

Granular, reliable income data is essential for businesses and institutions seeking to understand Greek diverse economic landscape. With Geolocet’s Greek Personal Income Data, you can move from assumptions to evidence-based strategies.

Dataset coverage: municipal-level income bands, population and household counts, and employment statistics.

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