Cost of Living in Austria 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetMonthly Living Costs in Austria
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €1,466 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €1,873 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Austria Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 83.8 |
| Rent index | 25.1 |
| Groceries index | 72.6 |
| Restaurant price index | 71.5 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 120 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 76.8 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 9.9 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Austria from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Finance | €62,000 |
| Engineering | €58,000 |
| IT & Software | €48,000 |
| Construction | €48,000 |
| Education | €42,000 |
| Healthcare | €40,000 |
| Hospitality | €32,000 |
| Retail | €28,000 |
Taxes in Austria
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 20.8% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €5,280 |
| VAT / sales tax | 20% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 55% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €5,280 per month. After rent and essentials (€1,466), roughly €3,814 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Austria Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | €879 | €347 | €60 | 83.8 |
| Czechia | €725 | €229 | €85 | 53 |
| Germany | €812 | €289 | €110 | 81.6 |
| Hungary | €530 | €171 | €25 | 61.4 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Austria:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 70 residence and visa routes for Austria — see the full Austria visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €195 per month — Red-White-Red Card (Very Highly Qualified Workers) (work route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €1,470 per month to sustain a move to Austria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austria expensive?
Austria has a cost-of-living index of 83.8 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €879 per month and a single person spends about €1,466 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Austria?
About €1,466 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €1,873 per month.
What is the average rent in Austria?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €879 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €1,400 per month in Austria. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Austria?
Typical gross annual salaries in Austria range from €28,000 (Retail) to €62,000 (Finance), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Austria?
Among the 70 Austria residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €195 per month (Red-White-Red Card (Very Highly Qualified Workers)). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Austria country profile and the Austria emigration guide.
Still shortlisting? Compare against our data-driven ranking of the best countries to move to in 2026.
Is Austria a fit for your profile?
Get a personalised assessment — income, savings, profession, and family — in 3 minutes.
Get Your Free Verdict