Vienna vs Los Angeles
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Vienna is ~20% 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
Los Angeles
United States
COL+Rent
69.5
Rent Index
57.8
Groceries
84.4
Restaurant
88.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Vienna | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,391 | $2,627 | $1,236 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,068 | $2,059 | $991 |
| Groceries | $487 | $484 | +$3 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20 | $26 | $6 |
| Transit Pass | $62 | $85 | $23 |
| Utilities | $224 | $196 | +$28 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Vienna | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,775/mo | $2,783/mo |
| Typical | $2,464/mo | $3,782/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,070/mo | $4,663/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Vienna | ≈ in Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,885/mo | +$385 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,514/mo | +$514 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,770/mo | +$770 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Vienna vs Los Angeles for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Vienna is approximately 20% more affordable than Los Angeles when combining rent and daily living costs. Vienna's COL+Rent Index of 55.3 vs Los Angeles's 69.5 (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 $2,627/month in Los Angeles — giving Vienna a $1,236/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $14,832 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Vienna ($487/mo) vs Los Angeles ($484/mo) reflect Vienna's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $20 vs $26 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.