How Much Does It Cost to Live in Austria?
When we think about living in Austria, we are somehow worried about coming there, due to the fact that Austria is counted among the richest countries in the world.
However, you should first get acquainted with the general cost of living in Austria, and when it is compared to the amount of money you earn per month, you will be amazed that an estimate of the monthly living costs is not so high.
Whatever costs are foretold, this cannot be a real situation for all the visitors of Austria, as your personal choices always play a major role in the amount of money you spend.
Cost of Living Breakdown in Austria
RESTAURANTS
Due to the high food prices, eating out in Austria can make a huge hole in your budget.
You will have to give almost $65 for two meals in a mid-range restaurant.
The approximate cost of beer is $4 while coffee can be found at the price of $3.
| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $15.21 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $4.34 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $2.41 |
MARKETS
If you want to save money on food, which takes the most of your monthly budget, you should buy it at Austria’s discount supermarkets.
You can get food at reasonable prices only if you do your own cooking since Austria is famous for the highest food costs in Europe.
| Average Market Prices | |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.35 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $2.17 |
| Eggs (12) | $3.61 |
TRANSPORTATION
When transport is in question, commuting through Austria’s cities can be done by public transport, car, or bicycle.
It all depends on the amount of money you can separate on commuting.
The public transport system is effective and reliable, and what is even more important, it is not expensive.
| Average Transport Prices | |
|---|---|
| One Way Ticket | $2.72 |
| Monthly Pass | $52.68 |
| Gasoline | $1.93 |
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
The only inexpensive utility in Austria is mobile phone calls.
All the other services are considerably expensive and some of the basic necessities will take you about $260 per month which is relatively high in relation to other European counties.
But, by Austrian standards, the prices can be taken as reasonable.
| Average Utilities Prices | |
|---|---|
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $263.95 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.07 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $35.67 |
SPORTS & LEISURE
People are eager to have some leisure time, especially younger ones and Austria has plenty of activities to offer.
You will need to pay around $13 if you are a movie freak, which is cheaper than the theater and concert tickets.
A monthly pass to a gym is around $38.
| Average Leisure Prices | |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $37.95 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $21.26 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $12.76 |
CLOTHING & SHOES
Clothing may not be of utmost importance when spendings are in question, but you still need to buy something to wear while in Austria, and it can be said that the prices are quite high.
They are almost the same as in Australia, where the standard of living is quite better, and that is the reason why the least money is spent on clothing items.
| Average Clothing Prices | |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $92.75 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $35.91 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $93.28 |
RENT PER MONTH
The highest amount of money is definitely spent on the rent, and those costs will depend on the city in which you want to live you should bear in mind that the rent is considerably higher in the urban centers than in the rural areas.
This means that housing in Vienna and other major cities is more expensive than in smaller towns.
| Average Rent Prices | |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $816.60 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $661.86 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1432.89 |
HEALTHCARE
Public healthcare is funded through mandatory payroll contributions of about 7 to 8 percent of gross salary.
Private supplemental insurance usually costs between 50 and 120 USD per month.
Out-of-pocket spending averages around 700 to 1,000 USD per person per year, mostly for dental care, prescriptions, and optional services.
With average monthly salaries around 3,500 USD, healthcare costs are well contained and rarely create financial stress.
EDUCATION
Public primary and secondary schools do not charge tuition; families pay for books, supplies, and optional activities.
Public universities charge very low or no tuition for EU/EEA students and modest tuition for non-EU students, around $1,500 per year.
Private universities can charge several thousand dollars per year. Students also incur housing, foo,d and transport costs.
With Austria’s relatively high average income levels, public education is generally affordable, while private university tuition and living expenses take a larger share of household income.
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Austria?
If you prepare your own food at your place, your visits to the supermarket are likely to take you much of the budget.
Austria is a country where people spend more money on foodstuff than on rent, and that is very rare across the globe.
Transportation also has an effect on your monthly budget, but in Austria, it is well organized and punctual and still not expensive.
It takes almost 12% of the monthly budget, which is almost equal to the amount of money they give to the restaurants.
Average Costs Breakdown
Austria: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Like in any country, average living costs can vary as each person’s monthly expenses are different.
Depending on where in Austria you reside, people who live in urban centers will have distinct life expenses compared to rural area residents.
An average monthly net salary would be enough to cover the necessities and afford yourself some leisure time.
The mortgage interest rate is not so high, so you can consider buying your own place.
Austria Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Austria Safety Review
| OVERALL RISK | LOW |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK | LOW |
| PICKPOCKETS RISK | LOW |
| NATURAL DISASTERS RISK | LOW |
| MUGGING RISK | LOW |
| TERRORISM RISK | LOW |
| SCAMS RISK | LOW |
| WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK | LOW |
| TAP WATER RISK | LOW |
Cost of Living by City in Austria
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
 Graz |
75.61 |
| Innsbruck |
74.66 |
| Linz |
77.8 |
| Vienna |
70.86 |
It’s really interesting to hear about living in Austria since it often seems intimidating with its reputation for being so affluent. I appreciate how you pointed out that the cost of living might not be as overwhelming as one would think. Personal choices definitely make such a big difference in how we experience a place. It makes me feel more optimistic about exploring the country and maybe even finding a way to balance spending while enjoying everything it has to offer.
It’s interesting how the perceived wealth of a country can create such a sense of apprehension about living there, yet the reality can be so different. Reflecting on the cost of living in Austria, it seems like it really boils down to individual choices and lifestyle. It’s reassuring to hear that living expenses might not be as sky-high as one might think, especially when you consider what you value and prioritize in your daily life. It makes you wonder how much of our fears about money are shaped by