Osaka vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Osaka is ~48% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Osaka
Japan
COL+Rent
28.9
Rent Index
12.1
Groceries
46.3
Restaurant
32.2
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Osaka | Vienna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $533 | $1,391 | $858 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $344 | $1,068 | $724 |
| Groceries | $267 | $487 | $220 |
| Restaurant Meal | $7 | $20 | $13 |
| Transit Pass | $54 | $62 | $8 |
| Utilities | $152 | $224 | $72 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Osaka | Vienna |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $765/mo | $1,775/mo |
| Typical | $1,111/mo | $2,464/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,349/mo | $3,070/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Osaka | ≈ in Vienna | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,870/mo | +$1,370 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,827/mo | +$1,827 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,740/mo | +$2,740 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Osaka vs Vienna for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Osaka is approximately 48% more affordable than Vienna when combining rent and daily living costs. Osaka's COL+Rent Index of 28.9 vs Vienna's 55.3 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Osaka costs $533/month versus $1,391/month in Vienna — giving Osaka a $858/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $10,296 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Osaka ($267/mo) vs Vienna ($487/mo) reflect Osaka's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $7 vs $20 show Osaka is the better value for dining out. 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, Osaka offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,111 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.