Cost of Living: Austria vs United Kingdom

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Austria and United Kingdom.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Austria is 24.5% cheaper than United Kingdom. The biggest difference is in Other Expenses, where costs are 63.6% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in United Kingdom, you would spend about $75 in Austria for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Other Expenses 63.6%

Austria is 63.6% cheaper

Childcare 36.1%

Austria is 36.1% cheaper

Rent Per Month 25.7%

Austria is 25.7% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 24.5%

Austria is 24.5% cheaper than United Kingdom

Most Expensive Categories

  • Property Prices +17.3%
  • Household Utilities +16.5%
  • Clothing And Shoes +16.4%

Is Austria cheaper than United Kingdom?

Yes, Austria is cheaper than United Kingdom

Overall, living costs in Austria are 24.5% lower than in United Kingdom.

Where Austria is cheaper:

  • Other Expenses 63.6% cheaper
  • Childcare 36.1% cheaper
  • Rent Per Month 25.7% cheaper

Where Austria is more expensive:

  • Property Prices 17.3% more expensive
  • Household Utilities 16.5% more expensive
  • Clothing And Shoes 16.4% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Austria: 17.07 $ United Kingdom: 20.35 $
16.1% cheaper in Austria

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Austria: 1,001.92 $ United Kingdom: 1,411.39 $
29.0% cheaper in Austria

Monthly public transport pass

Austria: 58.05 $ United Kingdom: 94.95 $
38.9% cheaper in Austria

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Austria is indeed cheaper than United Kingdom. You would save approximately 24.5% on living expenses by choosing Austria over United Kingdom. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

24.5%

Austria is 24.5% cheaper than United Kingdom

Restaurants

4.0%

Austria is 4.0% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Markets

6.7%

Austria is 6.7% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Other Expenses

63.6%

Austria is 63.6% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Transportation

24.6%

Austria is 24.6% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Household Utilities

16.5%

Austria is 16.5% more expensive than United Kingdom in this category

Mobile and Internet

0.8%

Austria is 0.8% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Sports And Leisure

11.3%

Austria is 11.3% more expensive than United Kingdom in this category

Childcare

36.1%

Austria is 36.1% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Clothing And Shoes

16.4%

Austria is 16.4% more expensive than United Kingdom in this category

Rent Per Month

25.7%

Austria is 25.7% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Property Prices

17.3%

Austria is 17.3% more expensive than United Kingdom in this category

Salaries And Financing

12.9%

Austria is 12.9% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Austria United Kingdom Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 17.07 $ 20.35 $ 16.1%
Austria is 16.1% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 79.68 $ 88.17 $ 9.6%
Austria is 9.6% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 11.38 $ 10.17 $ 11.9%
Austria is 11.9% more expensive
Regular Cappuccino 4.38 $ 4.62 $ 5.2%
Austria is 5.2% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 3.64 $ 2.41 $ 51.0%
Austria is 51.0% more expensive
Bottled Water (330ml) 2.93 $ 1.72 $ 70.3%
Austria is 70.3% more expensive
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.85 $ 1.53 $ 44.4%
Austria is 44.4% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 5.00 $ 1.17 $ 327.4%
Austria is 327.4% more expensive
Milk (1L) 1.65 $ 1.69 $ 2.4%
Austria is 2.4% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 2.83 $ 1.67 $ 69.5%
Austria is 69.5% more expensive
White Rice (1kg) 2.61 $ 2.21 $ 18.1%
Austria is 18.1% more expensive
Eggs (12 pack) 4.57 $ 4.03 $ 13.4%
Austria is 13.4% more expensive
Local Cheese (1kg) 18.45 $ 9.73 $ 89.6%
Austria is 89.6% more expensive
Chicken Breast (1kg) 14.79 $ 8.96 $ 65.1%
Austria is 65.1% more expensive
Beef (1kg) 22.77 $ 16.31 $ 39.6%
Austria is 39.6% more expensive
Apples (1kg) 2.84 $ 2.97 $ 4.4%
Austria is 4.4% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 2.36 $ 1.64 $ 43.9%
Austria is 43.9% more expensive
Oranges (1kg) 3.07 $ 2.88 $ 6.6%
Austria is 6.6% more expensive
Tomatoes (1kg) 4.47 $ 3.54 $ 26.3%
Austria is 26.3% more expensive
Potatoes (1kg) 2.13 $ 1.65 $ 29.1%
Austria is 29.1% more expensive
Onions (1kg) 2.02 $ 1.55 $ 30.3%
Austria is 30.3% more expensive
Lettuce (1 head) 1.87 $ 1.14 $ 64.0%
Austria is 64.0% more expensive
Monthly Transit Pass 58.05 $ 94.95 $ 38.9%
Austria is 38.9% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 7.40 $ 20.33 $ 63.6%
Austria is 63.6% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 2.85 $ 3.26 $ 12.6%
Austria is 12.6% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 5.63 $ 5.43 $ 3.7%
Austria is 3.7% more expensive
Taxi per Kilometer 2.28 $ 2.41 $ 5.4%
Austria is 5.4% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 34.15 $ 27.13 $ 25.9%
Austria is 25.9% more expensive
Gasoline (1L) 1.77 $ 1.95 $ 9.2%
Austria is 9.2% cheaper
New Economy Car 29,015.93 $ 38,367.32 $ 24.4%
Austria is 24.4% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 30,432.98 $ 40,488.21 $ 24.8%
Austria is 24.8% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 375.77 $ 322.47 $ 16.5%
Austria is 16.5% more expensive
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 20.01 $ 17.46 $ 14.6%
Austria is 14.6% more expensive
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 39.38 $ 42.38 $ 7.1%
Austria is 7.1% cheaper
Gym Membership 46.30 $ 46.25 $ 0.1%
Austria is 0.1% more expensive
Tennis Court (Weekend) 24.23 $ 15.82 $ 53.2%
Austria is 53.2% more expensive
Movie Ticket 13.66 $ 13.56 $ 0.7%
Austria is 0.7% more expensive
Private Preschool (Full Day) 365.99 $ 1,710.49 $ 78.6%
Austria is 78.6% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 13,902.65 $ 20,621.65 $ 32.6%
Austria is 32.6% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 104.13 $ 90.04 $ 15.6%
Austria is 15.6% more expensive
1 Summer Dress 44.92 $ 44.62 $ 0.7%
Austria is 0.7% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 103.80 $ 101.31 $ 2.5%
Austria is 2.5% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 142.37 $ 103.43 $ 37.6%
Austria is 37.6% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,001.92 $ 1,411.39 $ 29.0%
Austria is 29.0% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 807.03 $ 1,145.39 $ 29.5%
Austria is 29.5% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,782.11 $ 2,337.19 $ 23.7%
Austria is 23.7% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,423.27 $ 1,852.21 $ 23.2%
Austria is 23.2% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 7,675.26 $ 6,334.38 $ 21.2%
Austria is 21.2% more expensive
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 5,697.22 $ 5,062.78 $ 12.5%
Austria is 12.5% more expensive
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 2,812.93 $ 3,229.12 $ 12.9%
Austria is 12.9% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 3.70 5.75 35.7%
Austria is 35.7% cheaper

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to United Kingdom. Enter your monthly expenses in Austria to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Austria and United Kingdom goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Austria vs United Kingdom

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Austria

United Kingdom

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Austria Cost of living in United Kingdom

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