Cost of living · Europe · Eurostat HICP 2023
🇦🇹 Cost of living in Austria
Austria runs pricier than most of the EU-27 across rent, groceries and transport - see where the gap is widest and how far local income actually stretches.
- Cost index (EU-27=100)
- 116
- Rent index
- 108
- Median net income
- €28,500
- Cost-adjusted income
- €24,569
Austria sits at 116 on the 0-200 scale shown above.
Key takeaways
- Overall cost of living is 16% above the EU-27 average (index 116, EU-27 = 100).
- Most expensive category: utilities at index 121.
- Cheapest category: rent & housing at index 108.
- A typical income of €28,500 is worth about €24,569 in EU-average purchasing power.
Cost by category in Austria
Austria - price level by category (EU-27 = 100)
In Austria, utilities is the most expensive category and rent & housing the least.
What the Austria cost-of-living data shows
Austria's overall consumer price level is 16% above the EU-27 average. (How this index is built →)
Utilities lead the cost table in Austria at index 121, ahead of rent & housing at index 108 - heating, power and water outpace every other category here.
That price gap trims real purchasing power here: because prices run above the EU average, the headline income of €28,500 is worth closer to €24,569 once translated into EU-27-average terms.
Cities in Austria
National averages hide the big-city premium. See real monthly rent, groceries and transit costs for Austria's cities.
Countries with a similar cost of living
Frequently asked questions
Is Austria expensive to live in?▼
Austria's overall cost of living is 16% above the EU-27 average (index 116). Utilities is the priciest category and rent & housing the cheapest.
What does it cost to rent in Austria?▼
Austria's rent and housing price index is 108, above the EU norm.
How does income compare to costs in Austria?▼
That price gap trims real purchasing power here: because prices run above the EU average, the headline income of €28,500 is worth closer to €24,569 once translated into EU-27-average terms.
Source: Eurostat, Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) and comparative price levels Eurostat, Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) and comparative price levels Price-level indices, EU-27 = 100, 2023. Income: Eurostat/OECD median equivalised net income.
Important: these figures are official Eurostat averages for general information and comparison, they are not personal financial advice. Your own cost of living depends on your city, housing and lifestyle, so treat this as a starting point and check current local prices before making any relocation or budget decision.
Read our methodology - how these indices are sourced and computed.