Berlin vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Berlin
Vienna
The Verdict
Berlin is 5.7% less expensive than Vienna overall. A household earning $75,000 in Berlin would need approximately $79,518 in Vienna to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Berlin has the same purchasing power as $79,518 in Vienna.
Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $70,739 in Berlin.
Living in Berlin vs Vienna
Housing Costs
Berlin's housing index of 98 is lower Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $395,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Berlin compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 80 in Berlin and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $380/month in Berlin vs $404/month in Vienna. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 105 in Berlin and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Berlin vs $392 in Vienna. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 78 in Berlin and 82 in Vienna. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $46,000 in Berlin and $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,422 and $54,545 respectively. Berlin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,073/month to housing in Berlin vs $1,120/month in Vienna. In Berlin, median rent of $1,350/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 7 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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