Seattle vs Graz
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Graz is ~42% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Seattle
United States
COL+Rent
67.7
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
82.2
Restaurant
86.5
Graz
Austria
COL+Rent
39.4
Rent Index
18.1
Groceries
61.7
Restaurant
58
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Seattle | Graz | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,553 | $821 | +$1,732 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,001 | $630 | +$1,371 |
| Groceries | $471 | $370 | +$101 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $15 | +$10 |
| Transit Pass | $83 | $47 | +$36 |
| Utilities | $191 | $170 | +$21 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Seattle | Graz |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,705/mo | $1,166/mo |
| Typical | $3,673/mo | $1,633/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,525/mo | $2,055/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Seattle | ≈ in Graz | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $873/mo | -$627 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,164/mo | -$836 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,746/mo | -$1,254 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Seattle vs Graz for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Graz is approximately 42% more affordable than Seattle when combining rent and daily living costs. Seattle's COL+Rent Index of 67.7 vs Graz's 39.4 (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 Seattle costs $2,553/month versus $821/month in Graz — giving Graz a $1,732/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $20,784 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Seattle ($471/mo) vs Graz ($370/mo) reflect Graz's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 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.