London vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Vienna is ~24% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | London | Vienna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,503 | $1,391 | +$1,112 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,960 | $1,068 | +$892 |
| Groceries | $422 | $487 | $65 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $20 | +$8 |
| Transit Pass | $113 | $62 | +$51 |
| Utilities | $258 | $224 | +$34 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | London | Vienna |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,738/mo | $1,775/mo |
| Typical | $3,716/mo | $2,464/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,596/mo | $3,070/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in London | ≈ in Vienna | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,138/mo | -$362 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,517/mo | -$483 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,276/mo | -$724 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: London vs Vienna for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Vienna is approximately 24% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. London's COL+Rent Index of 72.9 vs Vienna's 55.3 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in London costs $2,503/month versus $1,391/month in Vienna — giving Vienna a $1,112/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $13,344 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in London ($422/mo) vs Vienna ($487/mo) reflect London's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $28 vs $20 show Vienna offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Vienna offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,464 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.