Los Angeles vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Vienna is ~20% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Los Angeles
United States
COL+Rent
69.5
Rent Index
57.8
Groceries
84.4
Restaurant
88.9
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Los Angeles | Vienna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,627 | $1,391 | +$1,236 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,059 | $1,068 | +$991 |
| Groceries | $484 | $487 | $3 |
| Restaurant Meal | $26 | $20 | +$6 |
| Transit Pass | $85 | $62 | +$23 |
| Utilities | $196 | $224 | $28 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Los Angeles | Vienna |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,783/mo | $1,775/mo |
| Typical | $3,782/mo | $2,464/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,663/mo | $3,070/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Los Angeles | ≈ in Vienna | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,194/mo | -$306 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,591/mo | -$409 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,387/mo | -$613 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Los Angeles vs Vienna for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Vienna is approximately 20% more affordable than Los Angeles when combining rent and daily living costs. Los Angeles's COL+Rent Index of 69.5 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 Los Angeles costs $2,627/month versus $1,391/month in Vienna — giving Vienna a $1,236/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $14,832 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Los Angeles ($484/mo) vs Vienna ($487/mo) reflect Vienna's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $26 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.