Cost of Living Comparison · NYC=100 baseline

Cost of Living: Austria vs Philippines

Austria is 151% more expensive than Philippines overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.

Austria
50.7
COL+Rent · Moderate
Rent index: 25.1
CHEAPER
Philippines
20.2
COL+Rent · Very affordable
Rent index: 7.8

The verdict: Philippines wins on affordability

Philippines is roughly 151% cheaper than Austria on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $1,466 per month, or about $17,592 per year.

Monthly Budget Comparison

Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.

Budget levelAustriaPhilippinesDifference
Minimal
Suburb rent, no dining out
$1,607$496Philippines 224% less
Sample
City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo
$2,142$676Philippines 217% less
Comfortable
City rent, dining out 25x/mo
$2,454$786Philippines 212% 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.

CategoryAustriaPhilippines
Rent 1-bed, city centre
$1,140$295
Rent 1-bed, outside centre
$875$190
Groceries (monthly)
$435$205
Mid-range restaurant meal
$18$5
Transit pass (monthly)
$62$11
Basic utilities (85m²)
$235$90

Index Breakdown (NYC = 100)

Individual sub-indices for each category. Lower = cheaper than New York City.

Austria
Cost (excl. rent)71.3
Rent25.1
Groceries72.6
Restaurants71.5
COL + Rent50.7
Local purchasing power (higher = better)120.0
Philippines
Cheaper overall
Cost (excl. rent)30.1
Rent7.8
Groceries35.4
Restaurants19.7
COL + Rent20.2
Local purchasing power (higher = better)33.9

Salary Equivalents

Purchasing-power-adjusted: if you earn X net in the US, how much do you need in Austria and Philippines to maintain the same lifestyle?

US net salaryNeeded in AustriaNeeded in Philippines
$50,000/yr$45,027$17,940
$75,000/yr$67,540$26,909
$100,000/yr$90,053$35,879

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.

Frequently Asked Questions: Austria vs Philippines

Is Austria cheaper than Philippines?

Austria is 151% more expensive than Philippines. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 50.7 for Austria vs 20.2 for Philippines. In practical terms, a $676/month lifestyle in Philippines can be matched for roughly $1,697/month in Austria.

What is the monthly budget difference between Austria and Philippines?

A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $2,142 in Austria versus $676 in Philippines — a difference of $1,466/month (217%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $2,454 vs $786.

How does rent compare in Austria vs Philippines?

A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $1,140/month in Austria and $295/month in Philippines. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $875 in Austria and $190 in Philippines. 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 Philippines?

If you currently earn $75,000 net in Austria, you'd need roughly $29,882 net in Philippines to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Philippines to Austria on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $188,243 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 $205 in Philippines. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $18 in Austria vs $5 in Philippines. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.

Source & caveats: Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates. Last reviewed April 2026. All indices use New York City = 100 as baseline. Actual prices in Austria and Philippines vary materially by city — capital/largest city costs can differ 30–60% from smaller towns. Treat these figures as directional comparisons; verify with current local listings before making relocation decisions.