The cost of living in Austria

Balancing your budget is important, no matter what country you call home. Therefore, it pays to do a little research on the short- and long-term costs associated with living abroad. And while the crisp mountain air, high culture, and stunning vista of Austria are highly appealing to expats, many worry about the price of practical things such as rent and electricity bills.

To help give you an idea of the cost of living in Austria, this article covers the following:

The general cost of living in Austria

Considering that the quality of life in Austria is very high, with excellent scores in global rankings such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Better Life Index, it’s unsurprising that the cost of living is also high. On the whole, price levels for household goods are higher than the EU average.

How much disposable income you will need to live comfortably will depend on the size of your household, where you live, whether you have children, and so on. In 2023, 17.7% of the population was considered at risk of poverty or social exclusion, and the risk of poverty threshold was set at €1,572 per month for a single person.

The proportion of the population at risk of poverty increases within the migrant community where foreign-born Austrians are 2.4 times as likely to be at risk of poverty.

Inflation is expected to fall in 2024 and 2025, with the costs of goods and food expected to rise more slowly. However, prices for services may continue to increase as a result of rising wages.

Interestingly, there is no nationwide minimum wage in Austria. Instead, wages are determined by negotiated collective agreements. The median gross monthly salary in 2022 was €3,189. This is about on par with most of Western Europe.

Housing costs in Austria

Rental costs in Austria

Rental costs vary greatly throughout Austria, depending on the location. Naturally, big cities often have higher rents than smaller cities and towns.

The average rent in Austria was €643.70 per month, including operating costs, in the first quarter of 2024, but this varied from €497.70 in Carinthia to €717.40 in Vorarlberg. Vienna’s average rent in the same period was €649.80.

Naturally, rent varies according to the type of home – the average cost per square meter is €9.40.

The good news, however, is that due to the Austrian government‘s commitment to social and affordable housing, most people spend less of their monthly income on rent than in many other countries. For more in-depth information, read our articles on renting in Austria and where to live in Austria.

Property prices in Austria

Property prices in Austria range significantly depending on location, size, amenities, and more. In Vienna alone, the average property price is €7,715 per square meter, but it can reach up to €19,900 for those who want to live in the First District – or Innere Stadt.

For more information, you can read our article about buying real estate in Austria.

Cost of domestic bills in Austria

Utility bills in Austria

Utility bills in Austria vary depending on what kind of unit you live in – a house or an apartment – as well as its size and any special amenities. If you bundle your utilities, such as electricity and gas, some providers will give you a discount. On the whole, though, according to Numbeo’s crowdsourced data, most households pay between €212.50 to €500. You can read more about this in our article on setting up utilities in Austria.

Telecommunications in Austria

Telecommunications in Austria are extensive, high-quality, and competitive. Therefore, you will likely be able to find good internet, television, and landline deals. Bundling one or more of these services will often get you an even better deal, so be sure to do your research.

Getting a phone and/or SIM card is also straightforward; you can even sign up for pay-as-you-go plans at the airport. Getting a recurring phone plan, however, may require you to already have an Austrian bank account set up.

Healthcare costs in Austria

Fortunately for expats, healthcare in Austria is universal, affordable, and accessible. Most people have public healthcare, which is funded by monthly contributions by employees and employers. With this monthly payment, you gain access to preventative treatment, acute care, subsidized medication, and much more.

That said, some people also take out private health insurance, either to complement or replace public insurance. Private insurance gives you access to shorter wait times, nicer accommodation in hospitals, and a wider list of specialists.

Private health insurance can be costly, however, with some private insurance companies charging several hundred euros a month. Of course, it is important to shop around and make sure you find the right policy to meet your individual needs.

Childcare costs in Austria

Although preschool, which starts at age five, is mandatory and free in Austria, childcare and early education costs before this are the responsibility of the parents.

Various day-care options are available, although costs can vary. Fortunately, parents can apply for a childcare allowance to offset some of the costs, if they wish.

Some families also choose to employ nannies or to convince grandparents to watch over their children. Others, meanwhile, may seek an international au pair who may care for and teach their children a new language, in exchange for room and board, and a minimum monthly allowance of €518.44 based on an 18-hour week.

Study costs in Austria

Public education costs in Austria are very reasonable. In fact, public schools are free all the way through to secondary school. While most free schools teach in German, public German-English bilingual schools are also available, however, spots are very limited. As a result, many expats choose to send their children to international schools which are, on the whole, fairly pricey – generally costing thousands of euros per year.

Pubic university education is also more affordable than in many other European countries – €363.36 per semester for local, EU, and EEA students and €726.72 per semester for third-country nationals. This is good news for prospective students, as Austria’s public universities feature among some of the best in the world. You may, however, require a high level of German.

Meanwhile, there are also several private universities in Vienna, and these have no restrictions on their fees.

To explore education options, read our article on the education system in Austria.

The cost of food and drink in Austria

Groceries in Austria

Unfortunately, buying groceries in Austria is a more expensive endeavor than in many other countries. This is especially true of fresh fruits and vegetables in the winter, which are scarce and pricey. That said, there are many different supermarkets, some of which offer lower prices, so be sure to shop around for your favorite grocery store.

To give you an idea of grocery costs, here are some average prices for common goods*:

Product	Price range	Product	Price range
Apples (1 kilo)	€2.50–€3.50	Water (1 liter)	€0.25–1.70
Bread (1 loaf)	€1.20–5.00	Regular milk (1 liter)	€1–2.20
Cheese (1 kilo)	€8.00–30.00	Rice (1 kilo)	€1.30–8.40
Coffee (from supermarket, 500g)	€3.50–13.00	Tea (box of 20 teabags)	€0.70–4.70
Eggs (6)	€1.40–4.00	Tomatoes (1 kilo)	€5–12
Orange juice (1 liter)	€1.10–4.00

How much does it cost to eat out in Austria?

Generally speaking, restaurants in Austria aren’t very cheap. Furthermore, the cost of eating out rose sharply with inflation in 2022 and 2023. That said, a meal at an inexpensive restaurant can set you back around €15, while a three-course feast at a mid-range restaurant can run between €45 and €100. These numbers vary, of course, depending on whether you are in a major city or a sleepier town.

Of course, if you are looking to delve into some hearty Austrian cuisine, you might be tempted to whip up some of your own delicious dishes in the comfort of your own kitchen instead. And if you need some inspiration, these Austrian foods with recipes will make your mouth water.

Beer, wine, and spirits in Austria

While the cost of alcohol in Austria is on the high side for Europe, it is very affordable when compared to North America. A serving of beer or wine in a restaurant, for example, may cost you anywhere between €3 and €8 depending on the establishment. Meanwhile, a pack of (multiple) beers from the local supermarket will cost you €4 to €8. A reasonably nice bottle of wine would cost around €8 to €12 in a supermarket.

Liquor is comparatively priced with other countries, with a cocktail costing anywhere between €10 and €15 in a restaurant. Strong liquor in a store can vary in price – for a 0.7 liter bottle, you can expect to pay around €6 for a store-brand bottle of vodka and up to €70 for a vintage single malt whisky.

Coffee in Austria

Cozy coffee shops abound in Austria, with the price of a cup ranging from €2.50 to €5, depending on the type and size of beverage and whether you are in a major city or a small town. You can read more about this in our article on Austrian drinks.

Transport costs in Austria

Public transport in Austria

Austrian public transport is highly efficient. Expect to pay the following for short trips on buses and trams within the country:

• Vienna – One-way ticket: €2.40
• Graz – One-hour ticket: €3.10
• Linz – One-hour ticket: €2.80
• Salzburg – Single ticket: €3
• Innsbruck – Single ticket: €1.90

Of course, you’ll pay more for journeys between cities. Ticket prices on Austrian railways (Östereichische Bundesbahnen – ÖBB) depend on the journey and vary according to:

• How far in advance you book
• The flexibility of the ticket
• When you travel
• Which class you travel in
• Whether you reserve a seat

For example, a Sparschiene (discount) ticket from Vienna to Graz on a Wednesday morning costs €9.90 when booked in advance. On the other hand, a standard ticket booked on the day of travel with first and business class upgrades costs €97.70.

Fortunately, there are monthly and yearly public transit cards that make regular travel quite affordable.

Private transport in Austria

Between bicycles, walking, and public transit, there isn’t a huge need for private transport in Austria. However, taxis and rideshares are available if you want or need them. Taxis operate via a meter and cost about €5 to start and €2 per kilometer. Rideshare apps are also widely available in the country.

If you are looking to drive yourself around, keep in mind that gasoline costs around €1.60 per liter. The costs of buying a new car in Austria will vary, but you can expect to pay around €25,000 for a small to a mid-sized car. For more information, check out our article on buying a car in Austria.

Leisure activities in Austria

Clothing in Austria

If you are looking to update your wardrobe, you will probably notice that the price of clothes and shoes in Austria is a bit higher than in other countries. A pair of jeans can cost you between €50–€120, depending on the store and style, while a pair of running shoes can cost around €90. And if you are looking to buy designer or brand-name items, you can expect to spend several hundred euros.

Hobbies in Austria

Average rates for joining a gym in Austria vary depending on the size and amenities. On the whole, though, you can expect to pay between €25 and €60 per month.

If an artsy night out is more your scene, you have plenty of options. A movie might cost around €12. On the other end of the scale, however, watching the opera from the comfy seats or attending a very popular concert might set you back a few hundred euros.

Taxation and social security in Austria

Thanks to its robust social insurance system, taxes are fairly sizeable in Austria. You can expect to pay VAT (20%) on goods you buy at a store as well as up to 55% on your yearly taxable income, depending on your tax bracket.

If you are employed, a monthly contribution to social insurance (18.07% in 202) will be deducted from every paycheck. Your employer will provide a similar payment on your behalf; this was 20.98% in 2024. Similarly, 10.25% of your pay goes into a pension fund.

Assistance with living costs in Austria

Aside from subsidized housing and childcare allowance, there are plenty of ways to get assistance with your living costs in Austria. For example, those struggling to pay tuition can apply for a study allowance while parents of multiple children can apply for a family allowance.

For more information on different types of benefits available, read our article on social security in Austria.