Seattle vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Vienna is ~18% 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
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Seattle | Vienna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,553 | $1,391 | +$1,162 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,001 | $1,068 | +$933 |
| Groceries | $471 | $487 | $16 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $20 | +$5 |
| Transit Pass | $83 | $62 | +$21 |
| Utilities | $191 | $224 | $33 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Seattle | Vienna |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,705/mo | $1,775/mo |
| Typical | $3,673/mo | $2,464/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,525/mo | $3,070/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Seattle | ≈ in Vienna | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,225/mo | -$275 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,634/mo | -$366 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,451/mo | -$549 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Seattle vs Vienna for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Vienna is approximately 18% more affordable than Seattle when combining rent and daily living costs. Seattle's COL+Rent Index of 67.7 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 Seattle costs $2,553/month versus $1,391/month in Vienna — giving Vienna a $1,162/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $13,944 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Seattle ($471/mo) vs Vienna ($487/mo) reflect Vienna's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 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.