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COST OF LIVING

IN NUMBERS: What are Austria’s most expensive cities to live in?

Living in Austria offers a high standard of life, but it also comes with a price tag. Here are the country's most expensive cities to live in.

Published: 9 September 2024 14:25 CEST
IN NUMBERS: What are Austria's most expensive cities to live in?
Life quality in Austria is high but it also comes with a price. Salzburg is one of Austrias most expensive cities for living. Photo by Alex Hufnagl on Unsplash

If you live in Austria, you know the standard of living is high; however, settling down in this mountainous country is not cheap.

Many international residents may find the cost of living in Austria high, especially if they come from countries with lower expenses.

Austria ranks 22nd out of 197 countries in terms of cost of living and is the 18th best country to live in.

The average salary after taxes in Austria is around  €2,547, which is enough to cover one person’s living expenses for about 1.6 months.

Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck are known as the priciest cities in the country. Here is a breakdown of the actual living costs in each of these cities.
 
 
Vienna

Vienna is often ranked as the world’s most liveable city. It is known for its great public transport system, rich culture, and green areas.
 
The capital is also one of the most expensive cities in Austria, where buying a property or renting a flat that is not part of the social housing can come with a higher price tag.
 
Eating out, enjoying cultural events such as concerts and festivals, and buying a monthly transport pass often come at higher costs than smaller cities. 

On the other hand, living in Vienna also has advantages. For example, groceries can be cheaper because of the city’s large market and competitive prices.

Due to Vienna’s well-developed infrastructure and government subsidies, public services like healthcare and education can also sometimes be more affordable.

The latest figures show that the average salary after taxes in Vienna is €2,544, and a single person’s monthly costs are estimated to reach €1,055 without rent.

The average rent in the city is €1,038 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre and €757 if you live outside the centre.

A meal at one of the cheaper restaurants and a drink will cost you around €16.50, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs about €70.

A monthly public transport pass costs €51, and a yearly pass is €365.

Regarding groceries, a litre of regular milk typically costs €1.47, a loaf of fresh white bread (500g) is about €2.66, and a kilogram of white rice is usually €2.36.

 
People biking in Vienna, the world’s most liveable city. Photo by Kristīne Kozaka on Unsplash 

READ ALSO: IN NUMBERS: How much does it cost to live in Vienna in 2024?

Salzburg

Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, is one of Austria’s most expensive cities.

The city is a popular place to live due to its history, beauty, cultural program, and location, which surrounds it with mountains and crystal clear lakes.

However, living in Salzburg comes with some of the highest costs in the country, partly due to the city’s problems with housing, where the demand is larger than the supply, and a lot of surface is used for infrastructure related to tourism.

Salzburg’s average salary after taxes is €2,568, while a single person’s monthly costs are estimated to be around €1,136 without rent.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is €1,051, and if you want to live outside the centre, you pay around €883.

A meal at a cheaper restaurant costs around €15, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is about €65.

A monthly public transport pass costs €60.

Salzburg’s litre of regular milk usually costs €1.52, a loaf of fresh white bread (500g) is about €2.35, and a kilogram of white rice around €2.65.

People strolling around the streets of Salzburg. Photo by June O on Unsplash
 

Innsbruck 

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol and is located directly in the high mountains, making it a perfect place to live if you like nature and mountain sports.

The city also offers a lot of restaurants, events, and cultural events.

It is a popular destination and the preferred city for many, which also raises the demand for housing and drives up prices.

Recent numbers in Innsbruck show that the average salary after taxes is €2,416, and a single person’s monthly expenses are estimated to reach €1,136 without rent.

The average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is €1,179, and if you live outside the centre, you can expect to pay about €967.

A meal at a budget-friendly restaurant costs around €12.50, and a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is about €55. 

You pay around €59.70 for a monthly public transport pass.

When you go the supermarkets, you will pay about €1.37, for a litre of milk, a loaf of fresh white bread (500g) costs around €2.59, and a kilogram of white rice usually costs €2.23.

Innsbruck is a popular spot for mountain lovers. Photo by Nk Ni on Unsplash
 

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WEATHER

How the torrential rain forecast this weekend could impact Vienna

Vienna's sewer network and public transport are facing several days of heavy rain. While the city is well-prepared, the continuous downpours could push the system to its limits.

Published: 13 September 2024 16:54 CEST
How the torrential rain forecast this weekend could impact Vienna

Vienna is bracing for several days of persistent rain as part of the extreme weather sweeping across Austria. 

While other regions face severe flooding and massive downpours, the Austrian capital is also under pressure. Continuous rainfall is expected to test its sewer system, underground transport, and flood defences. 

How much can Vienna handle before its infrastructure is overwhelmed?

Vienna’s sewer system put to the test

The torrential rains began on Thursday and are expected to continue until Sunday, possibly longer. Josef Gottschall from Wien Kanal has told Die Presse that Vienna’s sewer system is prepared, with all pumps and reservoirs ready to manage the heavy rainfall. 

READ ALSO: Floods and avalanches: Austria set for weekend of extreme weather

The system is designed to handle major rain events, but the report added that the forecasted 150 to 200 litres per square metre of rain will stretch the city’s capabilities.

While the city’s advanced sewer management system uses hydrodynamic models and real-time weather data from 35 stations to control water flow, Gottschall warns that no sewer network is built to handle extreme floods. “Even if money were no object,” he says, the scale of potential flooding in Vienna could surpass what the infrastructure is designed to manage.

In addition to the sewer system, the city’s underground rail network is under close surveillance. Wiener Linien is monitoring the situation and is ready to react quickly if flooding occurs, the company has said. Measures like sandbags and dam beams could be deployed at subway stations, while buses may be rerouted if necessary.

Although flooding in the underground system is not currently expected, prolonged rainfall could still cause issues in low-lying areas of the city.

Security on the Danube River

While not expected to overflow into the city, Vienna’s famed Danube River has prompted authorities to impose a “swim ban” on the Neue Donau (New Danube). Built-in the 1970s to protect the city from catastrophic flooding, the New Danube has often proven its worth by averting major disasters for Vienna.

The New Danube channel was constructed to divert excess water away from the main river, preventing floods in the city. When water levels rise in the central Danube, gates are released to allow water into the channel. 

READ MORE: ​​How the New Danube protects Vienna from catastrophic floods

Will Vienna see flooding?

While Vienna is unlikely to face the same level of flooding as other regions of Austria, the continuous rain poses a significant challenge. 

The city’s advanced flood protection and sewer systems are designed to handle heavy rainfall, but experts warn that if the forecasts are accurate, some flooding in the underground rail system and lower districts may be unavoidable.

READ NEXT: Do I need to empty my ‘Keller’ in Austria if torrential rain is forecast?

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