Vienna vs Sydney
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Vienna is ~21% 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
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Vienna | Sydney | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,391 | $2,442 | $1,051 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,068 | $1,822 | $754 |
| Groceries | $487 | $483 | +$4 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20 | $25 | $5 |
| Transit Pass | $62 | $114 | $52 |
| Utilities | $224 | $171 | +$53 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Vienna | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,775/mo | $2,545/mo |
| Typical | $2,464/mo | $3,585/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,070/mo | $4,423/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Vienna | ≈ in Sydney | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,891/mo | +$391 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,521/mo | +$521 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,781/mo | +$781 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Vienna vs Sydney for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Vienna is approximately 21% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Vienna's COL+Rent Index of 55.3 vs Sydney's 69.7 (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 $2,442/month in Sydney — giving Vienna a $1,051/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $12,612 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Vienna ($487/mo) vs Sydney ($483/mo) reflect Vienna's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $20 vs $25 show Sydney 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.