Cost of Living: Austria vs Norway
Austria is 15% cheaper than Norway overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Austria wins on affordability
Austria is roughly 15% cheaper than Norway on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $513 per month, or about $6,156 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Austria | Norway | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $1,607 | $1,945 | Austria 17% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $2,142 | $2,655 | Austria 19% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $2,454 | $3,046 | Austria 19% less |
Budgets include rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass, and a typical number of restaurant meals per tier.
Line-Item Cost Comparison
Every major monthly expense, side by side.
| Category | Austria | Norway |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $1,140 | $1,480 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $875 | $1,130 |
Groceries (monthly) | $435 | $525 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $18 | $24 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $62 | $90 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $235 | $200 |
Index Breakdown (NYC = 100)
Individual sub-indices for each category. Lower = cheaper than New York City.
Salary Equivalents
Purchasing-power-adjusted: if you earn X net in the US, how much do you need in Austria and Norway to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Austria | Needed in Norway |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $45,027 | $52,753 |
| $75,000/yr | $67,540 | $79,130 |
| $100,000/yr | $90,053 | $105,506 |
NET (after-tax) purchasing-power equivalents. Gross salary targets depend on each country's tax regime — see the salary comparison page for full tax breakdowns.
Dig Deeper
Combine this cost comparison with tax and salary data for the complete picture.
Cost of Living in Austria
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Austria only.
Cost of Living in Norway
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Norway only.
Austria vs Norway Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in Austria
Net take-home pay calculator for Austria.
Salary After Tax in Norway
Net take-home pay calculator for Norway.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Austria vs Norway
Is Austria cheaper than Norway?
Austria is 15% cheaper than Norway. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 50.7 for Austria vs 59.4 for Norway. In practical terms, a $2,655/month lifestyle in Norway can be matched for roughly $2,266/month in Austria.
What is the monthly budget difference between Austria and Norway?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $2,142 in Austria versus $2,655 in Norway — a difference of $513/month (19%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $2,454 vs $3,046.
How does rent compare in Austria vs Norway?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $1,140/month in Austria and $1,480/month in Norway. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $875 in Austria and $1,130 in Norway. Rent typically represents 30–50% of a single person's monthly budget in both countries.
How much salary do I need to move from Austria to Norway?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Austria, you'd need roughly $87,870 net in Norway to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Norway to Austria on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $64,015 net in Austria. These are purchasing-power-adjusted amounts — your gross salary target will differ by tax regime.
Which country has higher groceries prices?
Monthly grocery basket for a single person: $435 in Austria vs $525 in Norway. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $18 in Austria vs $24 in Norway. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.