😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,258 in Vienna versus $2,165 in Zell am see.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,522 in Vienna versus $3,205 in Zell am see.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,786 in Vienna versus $4,245 in Zell am see.
😐Living in Vienna is roughly 4% more expensive than Zell am see, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Vienna69% above, Zell am see62% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Vienna
Zell am see
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.47€15.03
$11.36€9.77
53.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.9€73.1
$80.5€69.2
5.57%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.71€10.07
$10.05€8.65
16.52%
Cappuccino
$4.91€4.22
$4.42€3.80
11.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.42€2.95
$3.68€3.16
-7.07%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.12€2.69
$2.55€2.19
22.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.82€5.01
$5.73€4.93
1.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.18€4.46
$4.95€4.26
4.65%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Vienna
Zell am see
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.74€1.50
$1.61€1.38
8.07%
White Bread(500g)
$2.87€2.47
$3.56€3.06
-19.38%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.76€2.37
$2.26€1.95
22.12%
Eggs
$4.73€4.07
$4.09€3.52
15.65%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.23€14.82
$17.55€15.09
-1.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.96€12.87
$16.03€13.79
-6.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$23.96€20.61
$23.86€20.53
0.42%
Apples(1kg)
$2.96€2.55
$2.33€2.00
27.04%
Banana(1kg)
$2.47€2.13
$2.24€1.93
10.27%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.34€2.87
$3.46€2.97
-3.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.07€3.50
$4.01€3.45
1.50%
Potato(1kg)
$2.18€1.87
$2.42€2.08
-9.92%
Onion(1kg)
$1.99€1.71
$2.04€1.76
-2.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.05€1.76
$1.97€1.69
4.06%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.94€0.80
$0.74€0.64
27.03%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.57€6.51
$6.61€5.69
14.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.65€7.44
$9.06€7.80
-4.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.49€1.28
$1.51€1.30
-1.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93€1.66
$1.69€1.45
14.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Vienna
Zell am see
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.73€2.35
$2.85€2.45
-4.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$39.81€34.24
$59.6€51.3
-33.18%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.72€4.06
$3.04€2.62
55.26%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.12€1.82
$0.82€0.70
158.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$38.61€33.21
$28.95€24.90
33.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.81€1.55
$1.78€1.53
1.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.7K€27.3K
$28.9K€24.8K
9.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.4K€28.7K
$29.9K€25.7K
11.52%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vienna
Zell am see
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$336€289
$346€297
-2.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.54€14.23
$20.22€17.39
-18.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.43€35.64
$40.78€35.07
1.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Vienna
Zell am see
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.55€41.76
$46.94€40.38
3.43%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.32€22.64
$25.58€22.01
2.89%
Cinema Ticket
$13.66€11.75
$13.76€11.84
-0.73%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Vienna
Zell am see
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$328€282
$467€402
-29.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$23.3K€20.1K
$4,584€3,943
408.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Vienna
Zell am see
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$98.2€84.4
$101€86.9
-2.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.22€38.90
$40.55€34.88
11.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102€87.9
$122€105
-15.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$156€134
$126€109
23.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Vienna
Zell am see
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,232€1,060
$879€756
40.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$905€779
$831€714
9.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,293€1,972
$1,597€1,374
43.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,662€1,430
$1,275€1,097
30.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$15.3K€13.2K
$6,490€5,583
136.04%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,823€5,869
$5,939€5,109
14.89%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Vienna
Zell am see
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,409€2,932
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.6
3.89
-7.46%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Vienna: June 1, 2026
Last update for Zell am see: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,232 in Vienna and $879 in Zell am see. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $85.0 in Vienna vs $80.0 in Zell am see. Groceries flip the comparison at $396 vs $398, with Vienna cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Vienna vs Zell am see: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Vienna and Zell am see?
Vienna and Zell am see differ by about 4% in total monthly costs ($2,258 vs $2,165 including rent). Zell am see is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Vienna compared to Zell am see?
You'd need roughly $3,387 in Vienna and $3,248 in Zell am see to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Vienna and Zell am see?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,232 in Vienna versus $879 in Zell am see. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Vienna or Zell am see?
All in, you'll spend $2,258 per month in Vienna versus $2,165 in Zell am see – a 4% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Vienna and Zell am see?
A monthly transit pass in Zell am see runs roughly 50% less than in Vienna. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $2,165 in Zell am see versus $2,258 in Vienna, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Zell am see but tight or insufficient in Vienna. The gap between the two cities makes Zell am see the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Vienna and Zell am see?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Vienna or Zell am see safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Vienna and Zell am see are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Vienna or Zell am see?
Expats usually find Zell am see gentler on the wallet – expenses run 4% less than in Vienna. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.