Vienna vs Rome
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Rome is ~12% 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
Rome
Italy
COL+Rent
48.6
Rent Index
32.2
Groceries
58
Restaurant
55.1
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Vienna | Rome | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,391 | $1,426 | $35 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,068 | $1,000 | +$68 |
| Groceries | $487 | $329 | +$158 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20 | $18 | +$2 |
| Transit Pass | $62 | $37 | +$25 |
| Utilities | $224 | $211 | +$13 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Vienna | Rome |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,775/mo | $1,550/mo |
| Typical | $2,464/mo | $2,273/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,070/mo | $2,823/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Vienna | ≈ in Rome | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,318/mo | -$182 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,758/mo | -$242 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,637/mo | -$363 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Vienna vs Rome for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Rome is approximately 12% more affordable than Vienna when combining rent and daily living costs. Vienna's COL+Rent Index of 55.3 vs Rome's 48.6 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Vienna costs $1,391/month versus $1,426/month in Rome — giving Vienna a $35/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Vienna ($487/mo) vs Rome ($329/mo) reflect Rome's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $20 vs $18 show Rome 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, Rome offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,273 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.