Cost of Living Comparison · NYC=100 baseline

Cost of Living: Philippines vs Austria

Philippines is 60% cheaper than Austria overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.

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

The verdict: Philippines wins on affordability

Philippines is roughly 60% 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 levelPhilippinesAustriaDifference
Minimal
Suburb rent, no dining out
$496$1,607Philippines 69% less
Sample
City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo
$676$2,142Philippines 68% less
Comfortable
City rent, dining out 25x/mo
$786$2,454Philippines 68% 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.

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

Index Breakdown (NYC = 100)

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

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

Salary Equivalents

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

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

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: Philippines vs Austria

Is Philippines cheaper than Austria?

Philippines is 60% cheaper than Austria. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 20.2 for Philippines vs 50.7 for Austria. In practical terms, a $2,142/month lifestyle in Austria can be matched for roughly $853/month in Philippines.

What is the monthly budget difference between Philippines and Austria?

A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $676 in Philippines versus $2,142 in Austria — a difference of $1,466/month (68%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $786 vs $2,454.

How does rent compare in Philippines vs Austria?

A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $295/month in Philippines and $1,140/month in Austria. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $190 in Philippines and $875 in Austria. Rent typically represents 30–50% of a single person's monthly budget in both countries.

How much salary do I need to move from Philippines to Austria?

If you currently earn $75,000 net in Philippines, you'd need roughly $188,243 net in Austria to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Austria to Philippines on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $29,882 net in Philippines. 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: $205 in Philippines vs $435 in Austria. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $5 in Philippines vs $18 in Austria. 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 Philippines and Austria 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.