City Comparison

Tokyo vs Vienna

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Tokyo

Japan
82
Very Affordable
$450,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$42,000
Median Income

Vienna

Austria
88
Below Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$48,000
Median Income

The Verdict

6.8%

Tokyo is 6.8% less expensive than Vienna overall. A household earning $75,000 in Tokyo would need approximately $80,488 in Vienna to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
98
Tokyo
105
Vienna
Groceries
88
Tokyo
85
Vienna
Utilities
85
Tokyo
98
Vienna
Transportation
78
Tokyo
102
Vienna
Healthcare
62
Tokyo
82
Vienna

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Tokyo has the same purchasing power as $80,488 in Vienna.

Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $69,886 in Tokyo.

Living in Tokyo vs Vienna

Housing Costs

Tokyo's housing index of 98 is lower Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $450,000 vs $395,000. The $55,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,576 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Tokyo compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 88 in Tokyo and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $418/month in Tokyo 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 85 in Tokyo and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Tokyo 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 62 in Tokyo and 82 in Vienna. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $42,000 in Tokyo and $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,220 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 $980/month to housing in Tokyo vs $1,120/month in Vienna. In Tokyo, median rent of $1,225/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 Transportation, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tokyo is 6.8% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Tokyo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,488 in Vienna, based on the cost of living difference.
Tokyo's housing index is 98 with median homes at $450,000, while Vienna's is 105 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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