Heraklion
Heraklion is a city in Greece. Heraklion had a population of 179,302 in October 2021. The city covered 52.1 km² in 2024. Population density was 2,871.3 people per km² in 2024. The bachelor’s-or-higher share was 23.5% in 2021. The high-school-or-higher share was 56.2% in 2021. School enrolment accounted for 20.2% of the population in 2021. A monthly estimate placed internet service at €34 in July 2026.
Who Heraklion may suit
Relative profile scores use comparable published values. They are a decision aid, not a personal recommendation.
Population and city profile
Derived from the published population and foreign-resident counts.
| Metric | Value | Verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| City area | 52.0672 km2 | 2026-07-182024 | Official sourceGR official material for city_area_km2 Source-backed value |
| Foreign-resident share | 5.3123 % | 2026-07-182021 | Official sourceGR official material for foreign_population_share_percent Source-backed value |
| Foreign residents | 9,525 people | 2026-07-182021 | Official sourceGR official material for foreign_population_share_percent Source-backed value |
| Population density | 2,871.3077 people/km² | 2026-07-182024 | Official sourceGR official material for city_area_km2 Source-backed value |
| Population | 179,302 people | 2026-07-182021 | Official sourceGR official material for population_total Source-backed value |
Population rose 48.9% between 1991 and 2021, from 120,417 to 179,302.
Each point keeps the source and period it was published with.
Housing
Owner occupation accounted for 61.7% of homes in October 2021. The city had 72,940 dwellings in 2021.
| Metric | Value | Verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dwellings | 72,940 dwellings | 2026-07-182021 | Official sourceGR official material for g05_dwellings_total Source-backed value |
| Average net rent (nettokalt) | 8 EUR/m²/month | 2026-07-29Aging | Commercial estimateRE/MAX Greece — Residential rental prices per m² 2025 Supplemental context |
Cost of living
A monthly estimate placed a 10 GB mobile plan at €27.27 in July 2026.
Published city cost observations. Some items come from the supplemental estimate lane and are not official statistics.
| Metric | Value | Verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitness club membership, monthly | 43.8 EUR/month | 2026-07-27Fresh | Commercial estimateCost of Living in Heraklion. Jul 2026. Prices in Heraklion Supplemental context |
| Internet, 60 Mbps unlimited | 34.13 EUR/month | 2026-07-27Fresh | Commercial estimateCost of Living in Heraklion. Jul 2026. Prices in Heraklion Supplemental context |
| Private kindergarten, monthly | 367.08 EUR/month | 2026-07-27Fresh | Commercial estimateCost of Living in Heraklion. Jul 2026. Prices in Heraklion Supplemental context |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | 13 EUR | 2026-07-27Fresh | Commercial estimateCost of Living in Heraklion. Jul 2026. Prices in Heraklion Supplemental context |
| Mobile plan, 10 GB | 27.27 EUR/month | 2026-07-27Fresh | Commercial estimateCost of Living in Heraklion. Jul 2026. Prices in Heraklion Supplemental context |
| Basic utilities, 85 m² home | 172.79 EUR/month | 2026-07-27Fresh | Commercial estimateCost of Living in Heraklion. Jul 2026. Prices in Heraklion Supplemental context |
Work and income
The unemployment rate was 12.7% in October 2021. The employment rate was 87.3% in October 2021.
| Metric | Value | Verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment rate | 87.2714 % | 2026-07-182021 | Official sourceGR official material for unemployment_total_percent Source-backed value |
| Unemployment rate | 12.7309 % | 2026-07-182021 | Official sourceGR official material for unemployment_total_percent Source-backed value |
Climate and air quality
Annual PM2.5 was 11.7 µg/m³ in 2024. Annual NO₂ was 19.8 µg/m³ in 2024.
City values from the published air-quality observations. WHO 2021 guidelines and EU limit values are published constants.
| Metric | Value | Verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO₂ — annual mean | 19.8 µg/m³ | 2026-07-182024 | Official sourceGR official material for air_quality_no2_annual_ug_m3 Source-backed value |
| PM2.5 — annual mean | 11.7 µg/m³ | 2026-07-182024 | Official sourceGR official material for air_quality_no2_annual_ug_m3 Source-backed value |
Family and education
A monthly estimate placed private kindergarten fees at €367.08 in July 2026.
| Metric | Value | Verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| G07 High School Or Higher Share Pct | 56.1904 % | 2026-07-182021 | Official sourceGR official material for g07_bachelors_or_higher_share_pct Source-backed value |
| G07 School Enrollment Share Pct | 20.2206 % | 2026-07-182021 | Official sourceGR official material for unemployment_total_percent Source-backed value |
Additional context
| Metric | Value | Verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.6753 % | 2026-07-182021 | Official sourceGR official material for g05_dwellings_total Source-backed value |
| G03 Labour | 47.7903 % | 2026-07-182021 | Official sourceGR official material for unemployment_total_percent Source-backed value |
| G07 Bachelors Or Higher Share Pct | 23.5437 % | 2026-07-182021 | Official sourceGR official material for g07_bachelors_or_higher_share_pct Source-backed value |
| G09 Households With Vehicle Available Pct | 72.906 % | 2026-07-182021 | Official sourceGR official material for g09_households_with_vehicle_available_pct Source-backed value |
Worked out from these numbers
Arithmetic on the published values above. Each one names what it assumed.
What does a 60 m² flat cost?
About €480 a month in cold rent, from the published average of 8 EUR/m²/month. Heating, water and operating charges come on top, and a specific flat can sit either side of an average.
Uses a supplemental estimate, so treat it as indicative.How international is the population?
5.3% of residents hold a foreign nationality — 9,525 people of 179,302 people. This counts nationality, not place of birth, so long-settled residents who naturalised are not in it.
Common questions
Answered from the published values on this page, each with its source and date.
How much does it cost to rent in Heraklion?
Average net cold rent is 8 EUR/m²/month, excluding heating and operating charges. For a 70 m² flat that is about €560 a month before utilities. This is a supplemental estimate, not an official municipal measurement. Source: RE/MAX Greece — Residential rental prices per m² 2025, checked 2026-07-29.
What is the unemployment rate in Heraklion?
The unemployment rate is 12.7309 %. Source: GR official material for unemployment_total_percent, checked 2026-07-18.
Is the air quality good in Heraklion?
The annual PM2.5 mean is 11.7 µg/m³. The WHO 2021 guideline is 5 µg/m³ and the EU limit value is 25 µg/m³, so this reading is above the WHO guideline but within the EU limit. Source: GR official material for air_quality_no2_annual_ug_m3, checked 2026-07-18.
How many people live in Heraklion?
The published population is 179,302 people. Source: GR official material for population_total, checked 2026-07-18.
How many foreign residents live in Heraklion?
9,525 people residents hold a foreign nationality. Source: GR official material for foreign_population_share_percent, checked 2026-07-18.
Cities of a similar size in Greece
Closest published populations, for a like-for-like comparison.
Sources
Spotted a number that looks wrong? Every value here carries its source and date — tell us what you found and we will re-check it against the source.