Cost of Living in Vienna

Life in Vienna – and Austria in general – might seem alright on the surface, but if you dig deeper, there are glaring issues that really stand out. For starters, the numbers just don’t make sense. Rent prices are way too low, salaries are surprisingly high, and it all feels skewed, as if people living outside Vienna are warping the stats. The affordability crisis here has exploded in the past five years, leaving more and more people unable to afford a proper life. Purchasing power is a joke, and despite the beautiful image Austria likes to project, the reality is far less charming.

Austria as a whole is going downhill – fast. The past governments have made plenty of mistakes, sure, but the bigger issue is the backwards mentality that dominates the country. People here simply don’t want to change. It’s like everything’s frozen in the 80s or 90s: most places still don’t accept card payments, the internet is slow and unreliable, the school system is old-fashioned, and there’s a major lack of educated and skilled workers. It’s frustrating because so much of it feels avoidable, but the general attitude is stuck in the past.

If you’re thinking of moving to Vienna or Austria, don’t be fooled by the brochures and people hyping it up. The reality is very different. Austria is a prime example of a chauvinistic society where many people genuinely believe they’re better than everyone else – but in truth, they lack any real vision or willingness to grow. Values like education, open-mindedness, empathy, and transparency are often ignored here. Politicians reflect this mentality, choosing to keep things stagnant rather than striving for progress, because that’s what the people want. And don’t forget the far-right sentiment: nearly 40% of Austrians are willing to vote for a party that’s basically one of the most nationalist and backwards-thinking in Europe.

Science? Forget about it. Austrians hate science. This is the country with the lowest vaccination rates in all of Europe and some of the worst efforts in tackling climate change – again, thanks to a general distrust of science. It’s maddening to watch.

What keeps people going here? Beer, schnitzel, and racist jokes at tent festivals, mostly. It’s sad, really, because there’s so much potential, but no one wants to tap into it. Austria used to be the most eastern country in Western Europe. Now? It feels like the most western country in Eastern Europe.

And as the saying goes: *If the world ends, I’ll just go to Austria – because Austrians will simply deny it’s happening.*

In Wien, die Preis/Leistung Verhältnis ist in Ordnung. Wien ist eine ausgezeichnete Stadt zum Leben. Ich lebe hier seit 1984 und weiß, was ich spreche.

Liebe Grüße
Stefan K.

really appreciate to live in Austria, Is there anybody to help me out.

These prices are way too low, they are MUCH higher in reality…

I have several friends in Wien and they are all well educated. They are making between 2300 to 2600 net euros/month and they are earning more than the average employee. Also, the rent prices seem to be pretty low on this website.

Is possible to fine a job astria,i'm kennedy

Living here since 2018. Prices went up after pandemic, coming down last months. It is a beatutiful city and people are friendly if you give them some time to get to know you. It is very clean and way safer than any other country i lived, and those are many!

Also, almost ~3000 EUR net salary AVEREAGE?! That is ridicilous, it is more like ~2000 EUR, if 13th and 14th are taken into account. Maybe that is just contributor' data, not reality. Most of my friends make around 1600-1700 EUR / month, a bit more like ~2000-2200 EUR if they are engineers with master's degrees with experience.

The numbers here don't add up especially the rents. These days one has to pay north of 3000 eur in the city centre for a good 3 room apartment and if you want luxury nothing short of 6k. Outside the city centre as well nothing less than 1300 to 1400 and a decent 3 room one for about 1800.

Very much take "rent prices" with a grain of salt. I am currently looking for a flat outside of the city center of Vienna for myself and my spouse using Willhaben + a relocation company, and there is nothing below 890 EUR/mo.

The other flats are all for people who are receiving government assistance or government regulated flat which requires a special application. This estimator is probably taking into account those apartments which are advertised but not available to all members of the public

@B.

Salary: approx. 1900 net each month, 2200 net on the 13th and 14th payment (as they are taxed less)

Rent: you should be fine around 1000
Utilities: 100
Internet: 30
Food: depends on you, but I'd say 200 per week including occasionally eating somethin out

Medical:free
Insurance: depends what insurance you are referring to, medical insurance is covered by the employer
Mobile: 20

TV-tax: 25 per month (if you own a TV)

Hello Michele health insurance rates have risen due to the pandemic.Currently one must have 100,000 eur in health care insurance instead of 30,000 as before. My monthly premium is 450 eur each monthjust for myself compared to 150 eur as before. As an expat it's mandatory.