London vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
London
Vienna
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 30.7%, with Vienna being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in London has equivalent purchasing power to $57,391 in Vienna.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in London has the same purchasing power as $57,391 in Vienna.
Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $98,011 in London.
Living in London vs Vienna
Housing Costs
London's housing index of 162 is higher Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $695,000 vs $395,000. The $300,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,500 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,400/mo in London compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $1,125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in London and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in London vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 112 in London and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $448 in London vs $392 in Vienna. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 78 in London 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 $55,000 in London and $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,826 and $54,545 respectively. Vienna residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,283/month to housing in London vs $1,120/month in Vienna. In London, median rent of $2,400/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 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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