Cost of Living in Austria 2026: Complete Breakdown for Expats
Real costs of living in Austria 2026: rent, groceries, utilities, transport. Monthly budgets for Vienna, Salzburg, Graz. What expats actually spend.
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What Does Life Actually Cost in Austria?
Austria consistently ranks as one of Europe's most livable countries – but also one of the more expensive ones. In 2026, the cost of living has stabilized after years of inflation, with some categories even decreasing.
This guide breaks down real costs based on current data, so you can plan your budget accurately.
Quick Overview 2026
- Single person monthly budget: €1,800-2,500 (excluding rent)
- Rent Vienna (1BR): €900-1,400/month
- Rent smaller cities: €600-900/month
- Groceries: €300-450/month
- Public transport: €50-365/year (Klimaticket)
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Single Person Living Alone
| Category | Vienna | Salzburg/Innsbruck | Graz/Linz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR apartment) | €900-1,400 | €800-1,200 | €600-900 |
| Utilities (electricity, gas, water) | €120-180 | €100-150 | €100-140 |
| Internet + Mobile | €40-60 | €40-60 | €35-55 |
| Groceries | €350-450 | €320-420 | €300-400 |
| Transport (monthly pass) | €51 (Wiener Linien) | €60-75 | €50-65 |
| Health insurance (employer) | Deducted from salary | Deducted from salary | Deducted from salary |
| Eating out (4x/month) | €80-120 | €80-120 | €60-100 |
| Entertainment/Leisure | €100-200 | €100-200 | €80-150 |
| TOTAL (without rent) | €740-1,070 | €700-1,025 | €625-910 |
| TOTAL (with rent) | €1,640-2,470 | €1,500-2,225 | €1,225-1,810 |
Couple (Shared Apartment)
| Category | Vienna | Other Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (2BR apartment) | €1,200-1,800 | €800-1,300 |
| Utilities | €150-220 | €120-180 |
| Groceries (2 people) | €500-700 | €450-650 |
| Transport (2 passes) | €102 | €100-140 |
| Other expenses | €400-600 | €350-500 |
| TOTAL (per couple) | €2,350-3,420 | €1,820-2,770 |
Detailed Cost Breakdown
1. Rent & Housing
Rent is typically the biggest expense in Austria. Here's what to expect:
| City | 1BR Center | 1BR Outside | 3BR Center |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna | €1,100-1,500 | €800-1,100 | €1,800-2,500 |
| Salzburg | €1,000-1,400 | €750-1,000 | €1,600-2,200 |
| Innsbruck | €950-1,350 | €700-950 | €1,500-2,100 |
| Graz | €750-1,050 | €550-800 | €1,200-1,700 |
| Linz | €800-1,100 | €600-850 | €1,300-1,800 |
| Klagenfurt | €650-900 | €500-700 | €1,000-1,400 |
Important 2026 changes:
- Rent control (Mietpreisbremse): Rent increases capped at 5% in 2026
- Deposit: Usually 3 months' rent (refundable)
- Agency fee: Max. 2 months' rent (often negotiable)
- Gemeindebau (social housing): €4-8/m² in Vienna – if you qualify
2. Utilities & Energy
Energy costs dropped significantly in 2026 after government price caps ended but market prices normalized:
| Utility | 50m² Apartment | 100m² House |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | €50-80/month | €100-150/month |
| Gas/Heating | €50-100/month | €120-200/month |
| Water | €15-25/month | €30-50/month |
| Waste disposal | €20-30/month | €30-50/month |
| TOTAL | €135-235/month | €280-450/month |
Compare Electricity Providers →
3. Groceries
Austria has a mix of discount and premium supermarkets:
| Supermarket | Type | Price Level |
|---|---|---|
| Hofer (Aldi) | Discount | € (cheapest) |
| Lidl | Discount | € |
| Penny | Discount | €€ |
| BILLA | Standard | €€€ |
| Spar | Standard | €€€ |
| BILLA Plus / Merkur | Premium | €€€€ |
Typical grocery prices (2026):
- Milk (1L): €1.20-1.50
- Bread (500g): €2.00-3.50
- Chicken breast (1kg): €10-14
- Eggs (10): €3.50-5.00
- Rice (1kg): €2.00-3.00
- Tomatoes (1kg): €2.50-4.00
- Domestic beer (0.5L): €1.00-1.50
- Wine (bottle): €4.00-15.00
4. Transportation
Austria has excellent public transport, especially in cities:
| Ticket Type | Price 2026 | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna single ticket | €2.60 | One ride, all zones |
| Vienna monthly pass | €51 | Unlimited in Vienna |
| Vienna annual pass | €365 | €1/day for all Vienna |
| Klimaticket Austria | €1,095/year | All public transport nationwide |
| Klimaticket Regional | €365-785/year | One Bundesland only |
Driving costs:
- Vignette (highway toll): €96.40/year (2026)
- Gasoline: €1.40-1.60/liter
- Diesel: €1.35-1.55/liter
- Car insurance: €400-1,200/year
- Parking Vienna: €2-4/hour
5. Internet & Mobile
For detailed comparisons, see our mobile phone plans Austria 2026 and internet plans Austria 2026 guides.
| Service | Budget | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Internet | €20-30/month | €35-50/month | €60-80/month |
| Mobile Plan | €8-15/month | €20-30/month | €40-60/month |
Budget tip: Discount providers like HoT (Hofer), Spusu, or GoMo offer unlimited data from €8-15/month. See our cheapest mobile plans Austria 2026 guide.
Salary vs Cost of Living
What salary do you need to live comfortably?
| Lifestyle | Vienna Net Income | Other Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Survival (tight budget) | €1,800/month | €1,400/month |
| Comfortable (single) | €2,500/month | €2,000/month |
| Very comfortable | €3,500+/month | €2,800+/month |
| Couple with savings | €4,500+/month combined | €3,500+/month |
Average salaries 2026:
- Entry-level: €2,000-2,500 net/month
- Mid-career: €2,800-3,800 net/month
- Senior/Management: €4,000-6,000+ net/month
- IT/Tech: €3,000-5,000+ net/month
Money-Saving Tips for Expats
Top 10 Ways to Save:
- Klimaticket – €1,095/year for ALL public transport in Austria
- Shop at Hofer/Lidl – Save 20-30% vs BILLA/Spar
- Switch energy providers – Save €200-400/year
- Use Wien Energie e-control – Compare electricity prices
- Meal prep – Eating out adds up fast
- Get a BILLA/Spar Club card – Regular discounts
- Buy seasonal produce – Much cheaper than imported
- Second-hand furniture – Willhaben.at is Austria's eBay
- Repair Bonus – Get up to €200 back on electronics repairs
- Housing outside center – 20-40% cheaper rent
- Health insurance via employer – Automatic, no extra cost
FAQ
Is Vienna more expensive than other Austrian cities?
Yes, 15-25% more expensive on average, mainly due to higher rent. However, Vienna has the best public transport (€365/year unlimited) and more job opportunities with higher salaries, which often balances out.
How does Austria compare to Germany?
Austria is similar to Munich/Southern Germany in costs. It's more expensive than Berlin or East Germany, but salaries are generally higher (especially net income due to different tax benefits like 13th/14th salary).
What's the 13th and 14th salary?
Austrian employees receive 2 extra salary payments per year – one in June (Urlaubsgeld) and one in November/December (Weihnachtsgeld). These are taxed at only 6%, effectively giving you ~10-15% more net income annually!
Is it cheaper to live in a smaller Austrian town?
Yes, significantly. Rent in smaller towns can be 50% lower than Vienna. However, you'll need a car (adding €300-500/month in costs), and job options are more limited. Popular affordable cities include St. Pölten, Klagenfurt, and Villach.
Conclusion
Austria offers a high quality of life at a reasonable cost – if you budget wisely. The key expenses are:
- Rent: Your biggest cost – location matters more than anything
- Transport: Incredibly affordable with Klimaticket
- Food: Discount supermarkets save serious money
- Energy: Compare providers to avoid overpaying
Budget realistically with €2,000-2,500/month (single) or €3,500-4,500/month (couple) for a comfortable life in most Austrian cities.
Related Articles
- Klimaticket Austria 2026 - Unlimited public transport across Austria
- Mobile Phone Plans Austria 2026 - Compare all providers
- Internet Plans Austria 2026 - Best deals for home internet
- Repair Bonus Austria 2026 - Get €200 for electronics repairs
- Everything That Changed in Austria 2026 - New laws and regulations
Updated: February 2026 | All information without guarantee
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Information as of: November 2024. All information without warranty. Changes and errors excepted.
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