The good news is that the cost of living in Austria is cheaper than in 70% of other Western European countries. Another important point is that, by collective agreement, the average Austrian monthly minimum wage, according to the Wage indicator , is €1,500. With varying values for different industries, such as gastronomy, where the entry salary is €1,650. Liquid. That said, to help you on this journey of better understanding the cost of living in Austria, we have prepared this article.
Rental costs in Austria
Rental costs vary greatly across Austria; Everything will depend on the location of the property. Naturally, big cities tend to have more expensive rents than smaller cities/towns, but there are also more options.
Renting a furnished apartment or studio, for example, can cost between €600 and €1,400. In terms of utilities, a couple is likely to spend around €200 a month on heating, electricity, water and gas in a small apartment. Monthly internet bills cost, on average, €25.
It is worth noting that, according to the Expatistan portal , the cost of living in Vienna, for example, is cheaper than other cities popular with immigrants around the world such as London, Toronto and Los Angeles.
Entertainment and leisure in Austria
Entertainment is an essential part of our life! Fortunately, Austria has leisure activities for all ages and, most importantly, all budgets.
A meal for two in a mid-range restaurant will cost around €40. The bill can reach €70 or more at an Italian restaurant in a more upscale area, including appetizers, main course, wine and dessert.
Furthermore, Austrians pay around €10 per person to watch the latest Hollywood releases in cinemas.
Now, if you're a weightlifting fanatic, you'll be able to join a well-equipped gym for around €50 a month.
But leisure also doesn't necessarily mean spending money. It is possible to attend museums, events, fairs, parks and carry out other activities in your free time throughout Austria for free.
Taxes and social support in Austria
If you are employed, a monthly social security contribution (18.12%) will be deducted from each paycheck. Likewise, (1.53%) of your salary goes to a retirement fund, (and this value of the retirement fund may be required to be returned abroad when leaving the country on return to your home country). The data is from 2022 and was taken from the Smart at Mobility portal.
It may seem like a lot, but the social benefits generated by paying these taxes are noticeable in the quality of life of citizens – it is important to remember that Austria is in 8th position in the global quality of life index.
Other than that, the practice of tipping is very common across the country to demonstrate satisfaction with any service. In restaurants, bars and cafes it is customary to leave around 10% of the total bill for good service as tips are not taxed.
Not leaving a tip is often seen as a sign of dissatisfaction with the service. So, pay attention to this detail and don’t forget to include it in your new budget.
