What Is the Cost of Living in Vienna, Austria?
Vienna is the cultural capital of Europe and home to over 1.9 million people. It’s a majestic, eclectic city with an abundance of history and cultural attractions, making it one of the world’s most desired locations to live and visit. But with such a beautiful city comes a certain cost associated with it: what is the cost of living in Vienna, Austria?
This post will go over the cost of living in Vienna, Austria compared to other cities across Europe and beyond, as well as provide practical tips for those thinking of moving to or visiting Vienna.
We’ll begin by looking at what goes into calculating the cost of living in Vienna and how it’s different from other cities. We’ll then compare Vienna’s average costs with those of other prominent cities in Europe and the United States. Finally, we’ll provide practical advice for anyone looking to visit or live in Vienna.
1. What Goes Into Calculating the Cost of Living in Austria?
Calculating the cost of living in Austria can be broken down into six main categories: housing, groceries and eating out, transportation, healthcare, education services, and entertainment (such as going to the cinema).
Housing
When it comes to housing, Vienna is one of the most expensive cities in Europe. According to a report from the Real Estate Service Austria, the average cost of rent for apartments in Vienna starting at 40 square meters is about €1150 per month.
However, affordable student housing and hostels can be found (with prices starting from €400). Some helpful websites and stores to check are AccorHotels, hostelworld.com, or wohnen.stadt.wien (Vienna municipality).
Groceries & Eating Out
Groceries in Vienna, like most European cities, can be quite pricey since there’s a high demand for organic products (organic farms are especially popular in Vienna). A typical grocery bill for a family of four per week would be anywhere between €50 – €90.
When it comes to eating out, you’ll find plenty of places ranging from cheap restaurants (ranging from €8 – €15) to upscale eateries (up to €20 – €25).
As for drinks, a cup of coffee will cost anywhere from €1 – €3 while alcoholic beverages can range from €3 – €8 depending on where you go.
Transportation
Sweeping across Vienna is an efficient public transport system consisting of trains, buses, trams and metro lines. The monthly transport ticket costs about €50 – €70 depending on the type of ticket and is highly recommended for commuters who travel the city multiple times a week. Taxis can be expensive compared to other cities in Europe but are still quite affordable (the fare starts at around €4 – €5).
Healthcare
To visit a doctor in Vienna will cost you about €40 – €55 per visit depending on the type of doctor or specialist you require. Prescription medications will also cost around €25 – €50 depending on the type and quantity.
Educational Services
For parents wanting to send their children to school in Vienna, tuition fees vary widely depending on the school. Private schools will be more expensive compared to municipal schools but nonetheless still quite expensive (anywhere from €2500 – €4000 per semester). This can go higher for international schools.
Entertainment
Finally, when it comes to entertainment costs such as going to the theater or cinema, prices start at around €10 – €15 per person. There are plenty of attractions available that can be easily booked online such as museums and galleries (often come with discounts if bought digitally).
2. Comparing Costs With Other Cities
Next, let’s compare Vienna’s costs with other cities across Europe and the United States. Since some costs are dependent on the exchange rate of EUR vs USD, we’ve taken this into consideration while calculating the costs below:
| City | Housing | Groceries & Eating Out | Transportation | Healthcare | Educational Services | Entertainment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna, Austria | €1150 p/m + | €50-90 p/w + | €50-70 p/m + | €40-55 p/visit + | €2500-4000 p/sem + | €10-20 p/visit + |
| Berlin, Germany | €1100 p/m + | €35-50 p/w + | €80-90 p/m + | €20-30 p/visit + | €800-2800 p/sem + | €10-15 p/visit + |
| Paris, France | €1600 p/m + | €65-100 p/w + | €95-105 p/m + | €30-50 p/visit + | €1500-3000 p/sem + | €15-20 p/visit + |
| New York City, United States | $3800 ++ | $100 -150 ++ | $120++ | $70-130++ | $4200++ | $12-20++ |
++ = USD; + = EUR; Prices may vary depending on exchange rate
As shown above in the table, Vienna is relatively cheaper compared to some other major European cities like Berlin, Paris or New York City. While rent is still pricey in Vienna, healthcare costs are substantially cheaper than in Paris or New York City while groceries, transportation and entertainment are comparable or even lower than both of those cities.
3. Practical Advice For Moving To or Visiting Vienna
For those thinking of visiting or moving to Vienna, there are a few things we recommend doing first:
- Research prices in advance: Prices can vary greatly depending on location but doing some research ahead of time can save you money.
- Shop around: Do some comparison shopping for rent prices in different neighborhoods (do keep in mind however that rent prices don’t necessarily reflect quality of an apartment). Don’t be afraid to ask for discounts from landlords either.
- Take advantage of student discounts: Most restaurants, entertainment venues, and educational institutions offer discounts for students.
- Look online for deals: Groupon and other online deal sites often have discounts for activities such as sightseeing tours or tickets to attractions.
- Choose public transportation: Public transportation is widely regarded as one of the best ways to get around Vienna. Use it instead of taxis or car services.
- Pack light: Between groceries, clothes and other items you might need while living in Vienna, try to keep your packing list small so you don’t end up having to purchase everything once you arrive.
Overall, Vienna is a beautiful city with plenty of attractions to explore and plenty of opportunities for both visits and residency. While it can be expensive by European standards, it is still very affordable compared to other cities like Paris or New York City. Of course prices may vary depending on what type of lifestyle you’re looking for but with a bit of research and budgeting you can still find plenty of affordable options when it comes to living or just visiting Vienna.
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