Cost of Living

According to Statistics Austria, the average cost of living is 3,250 euros per household (equivalent to 2.2 persons). At over 24%, expenditure on housing and energy is in first place, followed by transport and leisure at just under 14% each.

The relatively low cost of living also contributes to the high quality of life in Austria. The costs of food and public transport stand out in particular on the positive side. According to the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, food costs in Austria are the second lowest in the EU. With the KlimaTicket, you can use all public transport in Austria for a whole year for just 1,095 euros. The annual ticket for public transport in the capital Vienna costs just 365 euros, i.e. one euro per day. 

Thanks to the largely publicly financed healthcare system, expenditure on medical care in Austria is also moderate by international standards. The cost of childcare is heavily subsidised (varies from state to state) so that parents have to pay less for childcare facilities.

In addition, the salary level in Austria is high compared to other European countries.   What is special in Austria, however, is that you are paid 14 salaries. The payment of 14 salaries is not regulated by law, but is anchored in the collective agreements. The 13th salary is called vacation pay, vacation bonus or vacation allowance.

Christmas bonus or Christmas bonus is called the 14th salary. Both additional salaries are subject to lower tax rates. Vacation and Christmas bonuses are usually paid at the end of May or June and at the end of November. In some companies, payment is made on a quarterly basis.