Vienna vs London
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Vienna is ~24% 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
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Vienna | London | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,391 | $2,503 | $1,112 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,068 | $1,960 | $892 |
| Groceries | $487 | $422 | +$65 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20 | $28 | $8 |
| Transit Pass | $62 | $113 | $51 |
| Utilities | $224 | $258 | $34 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Vienna | London |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,775/mo | $2,738/mo |
| Typical | $2,464/mo | $3,716/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,070/mo | $4,596/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Vienna | ≈ in London | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,977/mo | +$477 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,637/mo | +$637 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,955/mo | +$955 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Vienna vs London for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Vienna is approximately 24% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. Vienna's COL+Rent Index of 55.3 vs London's 72.9 (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 $2,503/month in London — giving Vienna a $1,112/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $13,344 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Vienna ($487/mo) vs London ($422/mo) reflect London's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $20 vs $28 show Vienna 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, 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.