The best places to live in Austria

Select the best city in Austria to live in based on internationality, quality of life, and safety.

Greta

6 minute read

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Updated on 8 May 2024

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Moving

As an expat moving to Austria, one of the most important decisions you'll face is deciding which city to call your new home. Each Austrian city holds its unique charm and promises an exceptional quality of life, making the choice even more daunting. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you! Based on internationality, quality of life, safety, and cost of living, we’ve picked the 5 best cities in Austria:

1. Vienna
2. Salzburg
3. Innsbruck
4. Graz
5. Linz

The most international Austrian city, ideal for young professionals and students looking for a vibrant lifestyle.

Vienna seamlessly blends history with modernity earning its reputation as the world's most livable city. Over 43% of Vienna’s residents are international, making the city home to the largest expat community in Austria. With almost 340,000 residents speaking English fluently, the language barrier wouldn’t be of concern even if you aren’t fluent in German.

Vienna has plenty of things to do, from visiting the Schöbrunn Palace to taking a spin on the Ferris wheel in the Prater amusement park. But Vienna has a well-developed public transportation network, a people-centered healthcare system, and a low crime rate, making it the best Austrian city to live in.

Considering its high quality of life, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the cost of living in Vienna is relatively high compared to other Austrian cities. Depending on which neighborhood you’re exploring homes for rent in Vienna, your living expenses will be between €1,570 and €2,090.

The accommodation price will vary depending on which district of Vienna you live in. As a rule of thumb, the closer you’re to the center, the higher the rental prices. If you’re looking for budget-friendly options, search for homes for rent in Vienna’s 15th and 18th districts.

Salzburg is the best city in Austria for students pursuing higher education and taking the first steps in their careers.

With over 52,096 international residents, Salzburg is one of the best Austrian cities for expats. The city offers world-class education, a high quality of life, and plenty of job opportunities in companies like Red Bull and Porsche.

As the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg hosts around 4,500 cultural events annually, showcasing its rich artistic heritage. Its old town features magnificent Baroque churches and grand castles, recognized as UNESCO cultural treasures. So, if you want your days to look like a Baroque painting, Salzburg is the best city in Austria for you. Salzburg is also safe and sustainable, with over 70% of its energy sources being renewable. Living in this Salzburg, you’ll also have easy connections with the rest of Europe because of its proximity to Germany.

Monthly, you can expect to spend between €1,756 and €2,456, which is more than the cost of living in Vienna. This is mostly driven by the higher rental and grocery prices in the city. Like Vienna, depending on which area of the city you’re searching for homes for rent in Salzburg, your rental prices will vary. The table below shows what you can expect regarding average rent per month.

A picturesque city tucked in the Alps, perfect for young adults and students looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

With almost 30% of its residents being international, Innsbruck is home to one of the largest expat communities in Austria. Innsbruck’s cosmopolitan atmosphere and thriving tourism industry offer diverse job opportunities, making it easier for expats to build careers. Home to the world-renowned University of Innsbruck, the city attracts hundreds of domestic and international students annually.

Known as “the capital of the Alps”, Innsbruck is also a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Besides its natural beauty, Innsbruck is a charming old town with shopping centers, bars, and nightclubs, basking in the natural beauty of the mountains.

The cost of living in Innsbruck is around the same as that of the other cities on our list. You can expect to spend between €1,670 and €2,373 monthly. As the city is a popular winter spot resort, rental prices are higher than in the other Austrian cities on our list, varying between €636 for a room to €1,339 for a 1-bedroom apartment.

While Innsbruck is a safe city, it's essential to be mindful of the risks of living near the Austrian Alps. Snow slides can pose dangers for those residing in mountainous areas. Keep that in mind when locating homes for rent in Innsbruck.

Perfect for students looking for a more relaxed environment and tighter community.

Although it’s the 2nd largest city in Austria, Graz has a laid-back lifestyle. The weather is pleasant, with slightly higher temperatures than in other Austrian cities, which adds to the overall sense of comfort you'll experience here.

The city of Graz has also gained popularity among students because of its world-renowned universities like the University of Graz, the Medical University of Graz, and the Graz University of Technology. If you’re looking to pursue a degree in engineering, medicine, science, or mathematics, Graz is the best city in Austria for that.

The city is especially popular with students from Croatia and Slovenia. In fact, the international population comprises around 25.56% of the city’s residents.

The city offers various cultural events, museums, and a vibrant culinary scene, making it an enticing destination with rich cultural offerings and an affordable cost of living. You can expect an average cost of living between €1,477 and €1,983 monthly. Below, you can see how rental prices in Graz vary depending on the type of accommodation you rent.

Graz is generally considered a safe place to live. Most neighborhoods in Graz are welcoming and secure for expats. Choosing a central but relatively peaceful area near the Herz-Jesu Church can be a great starting point when finding houses for rent in Graz.

The best city in Austria for people of all ages wanting to live in a picturesque town with a large international population.

Stradling the Danube River, Linz is a small city close to the border with Germany and the Czech Republic. With a well-developed public transport system, exploring and traveling between these neighboring countries is easy.

In Linz, you'll discover a mix of regional and international companies, including Siemens AG, OMV Group, and Raiffeisen Bank International. English-speaking professionals, especially in software development, might find opportunities, but fluency in German is necessary for most other professions. The same applies if you want to pursue a degree in any of the 4 universities in the city.

Life in Linz exudes a calm and natural vibe. If you crave an active social life and new experiences, cities like Vienna or Salzburg might be a better fit for you. Nevertheless, Linz offers vibrant markets, charming shops, and diverse restaurants. Outdoor enthusiasts can relax in the Donaupark or take a scenic tram ride to the Pöstlingberg hill.

Linz, the 3rd largest city in Austria, is generally considered to have a moderate cost of living compared to other major Austrian cities like Vienna and Salzburg. You’re looking at monthly living expenses between €1,544 and €2,107. In the table below, you can see what you can expect in terms of rental prices so you know what to look for when discovering houses for rent in Linz.

Linz is generally a safe city with a lower crime rate than other major Austrian cities. The city boasts a well-functioning public transport system and well-lit streets, enhancing overall safety.

When it comes to internationality and job opportunities, the best city in Austria is Vienna. But the hustle and bustle of the capital aren’t for everyone. So, if you’re looking for a quieter place to live, the best place to live in Austria is Graz or Innsbruck. The cities offer abundant opportunities and gorgeous views, but their vibe is more relaxed than Vienna’s. Linz is the best city in Austria to live in if you want a small town with an affordable cost of living.

If you want to study in Austria, any city from our list can be your new home. Your choice depends on what degree you want to pursue. The universities in Vienna, Salzburg, and Graz offer the most courses in English and have the largest international student populations. So, choosing any of them won’t be a mistake if you're looking for an English-taught degree.

With a monthly cost of living between €1,477 and €1,983, Graz is the cheapest city to live in Austria. The country’s second-largest city ranks as the most affordable out of the best places to live in Austria. Rental and consumer prices in Graz are less expensive in cities like Linz and Innsbruck.

Vienna follows Graz on the affordability scale with an average cost of living between €1,570 and €2,090. So, if you’re on a tighter budget but your eye is set on the best city to live in worldwide, Vienna can still be your new home.

Now that you know the 5 best cities to live in Austria, it’s time to choose your new home and jet off on this exciting adventure. Be sure to check out our guide to moving to Austria for a smoother move!