Milan vs Graz
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Graz is ~31% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Milan
Italy
COL+Rent
57
Rent Index
40.6
Groceries
65.5
Restaurant
64.5
Graz
Austria
COL+Rent
39.4
Rent Index
18.1
Groceries
61.7
Restaurant
58
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Milan | Graz | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,798 | $821 | +$977 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,262 | $630 | +$632 |
| Groceries | $372 | $370 | +$2 |
| Restaurant Meal | $21 | $15 | +$6 |
| Transit Pass | $42 | $47 | $5 |
| Utilities | $239 | $170 | +$69 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Milan | Graz |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,887/mo | $1,166/mo |
| Typical | $2,766/mo | $1,633/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,425/mo | $2,055/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Milan | ≈ in Graz | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,037/mo | -$463 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,382/mo | -$618 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,074/mo | -$926 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Milan vs Graz for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Graz is approximately 31% more affordable than Milan when combining rent and daily living costs. Milan's COL+Rent Index of 57 vs Graz's 39.4 (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 Milan costs $1,798/month versus $821/month in Graz — giving Graz a $977/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $11,724 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Milan ($372/mo) vs Graz ($370/mo) reflect Graz's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $21 vs $15 show Graz 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, Graz offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,633 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.