Your guide to the cost of living in Austria

Greta

Updated on Mar 15 • 8 minute read

Austria holds the 21st spot on the global cost of living index according to Numbeo. While generous salaries and a high quality of life make up for the high living costs in Austria, you still need to budget properly to live a comfortable life. In this article, we'll dive into the numbers to help you understand how you can effectively handle your living expenses in Austria and master budgeting and planning.

In this article, you’ll learn about:

Average cost of living in Austria
Average monthly expenses in various Austrian cities
Rental prices in different Austrian cities
Utility costs in Austria
Public healthcare expenses in Austria
Transportation expenses in Austria
Grocery prices in Austria
Leisure activities costs in Austria

Average monthly cost of living in Austria

The average monthly living cost for one person in Austria is roughly €1,584, but it varies depending on location, lifestyle, and type of housing. Couples can anticipate monthly expenses of approximately €2,700, while a family of 4 would typically have total monthly living costs of around €4,400.

Expense	Average cost of living in Austria
1 bedroom apartment	€767
Utilities	€256
Internet	€30
Monthly public transport pass	€47
Groceries	€250
Leisure	€234
Total	€1,550

Average monthly cost of living in Austria per city comparison

To gain a better understanding of the cost of living in Austria, let's compare the total average monthly expenses in some of the country's popular cities:

City	Vienna	Salzburg	Innsbruck
Monthly Living Costs (Excluding Rent)	€933	€1,093	€1,008
Rent (1-Bedroom Apartment)	€1,190	€1,332	€ 963
Total Monthly Cost	€2,123	€2,425	€1,971

Is it expensive to live in Austria?

Austria is not a cheap place to live in. The cost of living in Austria is higher than the global average, with expenses like housing and utilities contributing to this higher cost. But Austria's exceptional quality of life, boasting excellent healthcare, education, safety, and cultural opportunities, often justifies the higher expenses.

For some perspective, the average net salary in Austria hovers around €2,500 per month. Comparing the average salary to Austria's monthly cost of living (around €1,584), it's clear that it's quite affordable, especially for full-time workers.

Average rent across Austrian cities

Living costs in Austria can change a lot depending on the city you live in. We've looked at some of the best cities in Austria for foreigners and compared the average rental prices for different types of accommodation:

City	Private Room	Studio	Apartment
Vienna	€565	€900	€1,190
Salzburg	€632	€1,008	€1,332
Innsbruck	€636	€1,013	€1,339

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Search homes for rent in Vienna right away to ensure you discover the perfect fit within your budget.

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Average utility prices in Austria

In Austria, your rental agreement can either include or exclude utility costs. If utilities aren’t included, you should budget around €256/month for them.

Here’s a breakdown of your monthly utility costs in Austria:

Utility	Average monthly cost
Water	€34
Electricity	€75
Gas	€147
Internet	€30
Waste collection	€15

Public healthcare costs in Austria

For international students, you can opt for public health insurance through ÖGK, and as of 2023, it costs around €66.79 per month. This provides you with basic coverage and is relatively affordable.

If you’re employed, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Austria’s public health insurance, and the contributions will be deducted from your monthly salary. These contributions are income-dependent, with a maximum cap of €5,220 per month. Essentially, the more you earn, the more you contribute.

Public transportation expenses

Austria's public transport offers various ticket options. You can buy a single ticket for one trip, a day pass for unlimited travel within 24 hours, or opt for a monthly pass at approximately for regular commuting.

Here’s a breakdown of transportation costs in Austria:

Item	Vienna	Salzburg	Innsbruck
One-way ticket	€2.40	€2.50	€2.80
Monthly pass	€51	€59	€59.70
Taxi start (normal tariff)	€4	€4	€6.40
Taxi 1km (normal tariff)	€1.60	€2.47	€1.90
Gas (1l)	€1.75	€1.77	€1.70

Grocery prices in Austria

You should set aside around €250 per month for groceries in Austria. While buying groceries in Austria is generally slightly expensive, you can still grab budget-friendly groceries at stores like Aldi, Lidl, Penny, or Eurospar.

How much you spend on groceries can change depending on where you live in Austria and where you shop. So, let's dive into food prices in different Austrian cities to paint a clearer picture:

Item	Vienna	Salzburg	Innsbruck
Milk (1l)	€1.35	€1.42	€1.34
Eggs (12)	€3.65	€3.64	€3.28
Tomato (1kg)	€3.12	€4.01	€3.08
Potato (1kg)	€1.50	€2.00	€1.73
Apples (1kg)	€2.17	€2.51	€2.53
Banana (1kg)	€1.74	€1.84	€1.97
Bread (500g)	€1.97	€2.12	€2.19
Cheese (1kg)	€10.59	€18.49	€11.99
Bottle of red wine	€5	€7	€6.25

Budgeting for leisure activities

For monthly budgeting for leisure activities in Austria, you can expect a total estimate range of approximately €150 to €300. This estimate covers dining out, cultural activities, entertainment, and sports or leisure club memberships.

The prices for leisure activities across Austrian cities are similar and typically fall within these ranges:

Leisure category	Estimated monthly cost range
Dining out	€10 - €50
Cultural activities	€5 - €15
Nightlife	€20 - €30
Sports or leisure clubs	€20 - €50
Cultural events	€20 - €50
Total monthly budget estimate	€150 - €300

Tips for lowering living costs in Austria

When managing your budget in Austria, remember these 6 money-saving tips:

Consider living in a more affordable, less trendy city.
Explore shared housing options to reduce rent and household expenses.
Conserve energy by turning off lights and appliances when not in use.
Whenever possible, walk or cycle to save on transportation expenses.
Plan meals, create shopping lists, and resist impulse purchases to lower food costs.
Consider used items, especially when buying furniture, which are available at thrift stores, online marketplaces, or Facebook groups for better prices.