Vienna vs Amsterdam
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Vienna is ~16% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Amsterdam
Netherlands
COL+Rent
65.5
Rent Index
52.2
Groceries
65.4
Restaurant
73.1
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Vienna | Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,391 | $2,318 | $927 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,068 | $1,822 | $754 |
| Groceries | $487 | $374 | +$113 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20 | $22 | $2 |
| Transit Pass | $62 | $109 | $47 |
| Utilities | $224 | $210 | +$14 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Vienna | Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,775/mo | $2,491/mo |
| Typical | $2,464/mo | $3,341/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,070/mo | $4,094/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Vienna | ≈ in Amsterdam | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,777/mo | +$277 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,369/mo | +$369 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,553/mo | +$553 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Vienna vs Amsterdam for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Vienna is approximately 16% more affordable than Amsterdam when combining rent and daily living costs. Vienna's COL+Rent Index of 55.3 vs Amsterdam's 65.5 (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 Vienna costs $1,391/month versus $2,318/month in Amsterdam — giving Vienna a $927/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $11,124 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Vienna ($487/mo) vs Amsterdam ($374/mo) reflect Amsterdam's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $20 vs $22 show Amsterdam 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.