Cost of Living: Portugal vs Austria
Portugal is 28% cheaper than Austria overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Portugal wins on affordability
Portugal is roughly 28% cheaper than Austria on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $550 per month, or about $6,600 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Portugal | Austria | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $1,177 | $1,607 | Portugal 27% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $1,592 | $2,142 | Portugal 26% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $1,794 | $2,454 | Portugal 27% 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 | Portugal | Austria |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $990 | $1,140 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $770 | $875 |
Groceries (monthly) | $235 | $435 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $13 | $18 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $42 | $62 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $130 | $235 |
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 Portugal and Austria to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Portugal | Needed in Austria |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $32,416 | $45,027 |
| $75,000/yr | $48,623 | $67,540 |
| $100,000/yr | $64,831 | $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.
Dig Deeper
Combine this cost comparison with tax and salary data for the complete picture.
Cost of Living in Portugal
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Portugal only.
Cost of Living in Austria
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Austria only.
Portugal vs Austria Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in Portugal
Net take-home pay calculator for Portugal.
Salary After Tax in Austria
Net take-home pay calculator for Austria.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Portugal vs Austria
Is Portugal cheaper than Austria?
Portugal is 28% cheaper than Austria. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 36.5 for Portugal vs 50.7 for Austria. In practical terms, a $2,142/month lifestyle in Austria can be matched for roughly $1,542/month in Portugal.
What is the monthly budget difference between Portugal and Austria?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $1,592 in Portugal versus $2,142 in Austria — a difference of $550/month (26%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $1,794 vs $2,454.
How does rent compare in Portugal vs Austria?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $990/month in Portugal and $1,140/month in Austria. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $770 in Portugal 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 Portugal to Austria?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Portugal, you'd need roughly $104,178 net in Austria to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Austria to Portugal on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $53,994 net in Portugal. 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: $235 in Portugal vs $435 in Austria. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $13 in Portugal vs $18 in Austria. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.