Austria🇦🇹

At a Glance

How Austria compares across key indices

Quality of Life202Safety71Healthcare77Affordability70Climate77Clean Air16

Cost of Living

70 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

71/100

Healthcare

77/100

Quality of Life

202/200

Climate

77/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Austria

Cost of Living

70

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

23

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

71

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

70

100 = NYC dining

Monthly costs range from $1,943 in Villach to $2,801 in Salzburg

City Costs Comparison

Villach

Cheapest

$1,943/mo

Food$187

Graz

$2,026/mo

Food$223

Linz

$2,048/mo

Food$215

Vienna

$2,503/mo

Food$240

Innsbruck

$2,695/mo

Food$226

Salzburg

$2,801/mo

Food$223

Safety & Crime

Low Risk

How safe residents feel in Austria — based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

71/100

Crime Index

29/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

60/100

Crime perceived as increasing

Walking Safety

Daytime83
Nighttime64

19 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Drug-related crime
Low38
Property crimes
Low34
Corruption & bribery
Low33
Violent crimes
Very Low24

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Being insulted or harassed
Low32
Being physically attacked
Low28
Home broken into
Low26
Being mugged or robbed
Very Low25
Things stolen from car
Very Low24
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Very Low24
Car stolen
Very Low16

Based on 1,382 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Austria

Austria has 6 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,943 in Villach to $2,801 in Salzburg. Graz leads on safety, scoring 73/100. Vienna ranks highest for quality of life at 207/200.

💸Most Affordable

Villach

$1,943/mo

Safest

Graz

73/100

Best Quality of Life

Vienna

207/200

Best Healthcare

Vienna

80/100

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Villach$1,94371/100198/20069/10035
Graz$2,02673/100190/20077/10038
Linz$2,048————
Vienna$2,50370/100207/20080/10016
Innsbruck$2,695————
Salzburg$2,801————

Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Austria

Healthcare Index

77/100

Quality Breakdown

Modern Equipment86/100
Staff Skill & Competency79/100
Accuracy & Completeness78/100
Speed of Service76/100
Friendliness & Courtesy72/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist61/100
Cost Satisfaction80/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 366 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Public
75.7%
Employer Sponsored
12.3%
Private
10.9%
None
1.1%
Healthcare77Safety71Quality of Life202
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Environment

Clean

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Austria

Pollution Index

16/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Drinking Water Quality92/100
Comfortable to Spend Time90/100
Air Quality87/100
Garbage Disposal86/100
Clean & Tidy83/100
Green Spaces & Parks78/100

Concerns

Noise & Light Pollution34/100
Water Pollution12/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 774 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in Austria

Average One-Way Commute

24minutes

Short

Traffic Index

77

Below average congestion

Inefficiency

76

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

1.5kg/trip

How People Commute

Car25.0%
Walking21.8%
Bicycle19.0%
Train/Metro18.0%
Bus/Trolleybus9.5%
Tram/Streetcar5.6%
Working from Home0.7%
Motorcycle0.4%

Based on 284 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Austria, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Austria?

Austria has a cost of living index of 70 relative to New York City (100). It is comparable in cost to most US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,943 in Villach and reach $2,801 in Salzburg.

What is the cheapest city in Austria for expats?

Villach is the most affordable city in Austria with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $1,943 for a single person including rent. Graz is the next most affordable at $2,026/mo.

Is Austria safe for expats?

Austria has a safety index of 71/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Graz scores highest on safety at 73/100.

What is the best city in Austria for expats and digital nomads?

Vienna ranks highest for quality of life in Austria, scoring 207/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $2,503/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Villach offers the lowest monthly costs at $1,943/mo.

How good is healthcare in Austria?

Austria scores 77/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it excellent by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.

Is Austria cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Austria's cost of living is roughly 30% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 77% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

What is the air quality and pollution like in Austria?

Austria has a pollution index of 16/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Austria

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