Cost of Living Comparison Between Wels and Vienna Cost of Living Comparison Between Wels and Vienna

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,979 in Wels versus $2,258 in Vienna.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,892 in Wels versus $3,522 in Vienna.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,806 in Wels versus $4,786 in Vienna.

Living in Wels costs roughly 12% less than in Vienna, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Wels 48% above, Vienna 69% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Wels
Vienna
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.50 €15.06
$17.47 €15.03
0.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$72.9 €62.7
$84.9 €73.1
-14.14%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.20 €10.49
$11.71 €10.07
4.18%
Cappuccino
$4.59 €3.95
$4.91 €4.22
-6.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.28 €3.68
$3.42 €2.95
25.15%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.06 €2.63
$3.12 €2.69
-1.92%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.34 €4.60
$5.82 €5.01
-8.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.82 €4.15
$5.18 €4.46
-6.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Wels
Vienna
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.46 €1.25
$1.74 €1.50
-16.09%
White Bread (500g)
$3.06 €2.64
$2.87 €2.47
6.62%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.25 €1.93
$2.76 €2.37
-18.48%
Eggs
$3.46 €2.98
$4.73 €4.07
-26.85%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$25.11 €21.60
$17.23 €14.82
45.73%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.99 €12.04
$14.96 €12.87
-6.48%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$21.37 €18.38
$23.96 €20.61
-10.81%
Apples (1kg)
$2.94 €2.53
$2.96 €2.55
-0.68%
Banana (1kg)
$1.84 €1.58
$2.47 €2.13
-25.51%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.58 €2.22
$3.34 €2.87
-22.75%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.80 €2.40
$4.07 €3.50
-31.20%
Potato (1kg)
$2.06 €1.77
$2.18 €1.87
-5.50%
Onion (1kg)
$1.67 €1.44
$1.99 €1.71
-16.08%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.79 €1.54
$2.05 €1.76
-12.68%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.78 €0.67
$0.94 €0.80
-17.02%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.30 €6.28
$7.57 €6.51
-3.57%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.24 €7.95
$8.65 €7.44
6.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.84 €0.72
$1.49 €1.28
-43.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66 €1.43
$1.93 €1.66
-13.99%
🚌 Getting Around
Wels
Vienna
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.74 €2.36
$2.73 €2.35
0.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$28.74 €24.72
$39.81 €34.24
-27.81%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$6.77 €5.82
$4.72 €4.06
43.43%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.14 €1.84
$2.12 €1.82
0.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.77 €29.91
$38.61 €33.21
-9.95%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.71 €1.47
$1.81 €1.55
-5.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.3K €25.2K
$31.7K €27.3K
-7.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.8K €30.8K
$33.4K €28.7K
7.39%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Wels
Vienna
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$362 €312
$336 €289
7.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.62 €19.46
$16.54 €14.23
36.76%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.13 €29.36
$41.43 €35.64
-17.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Wels
Vienna
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$40.47 €34.81
$48.55 €41.76
-16.64%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.47 €29.65
$26.32 €22.64
30.97%
Cinema Ticket
$14.04 €12.07
$13.66 €11.75
2.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Wels
Vienna
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$912 €785
$328 €282
178.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,327 €6,303
$23.3K €20.1K
-68.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Wels
Vienna
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$132 €114
$98.2 €84.4
34.96%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.4 €43.38
$45.22 €38.90
11.52%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$121 €104
$102 €87.9
18.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$139 €120
$156 €134
-10.73%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Wels
Vienna
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$685 €589
$1,232 €1,060
-44.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$575 €495
$905 €779
-36.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,156 €995
$2,293 €1,972
-49.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$815 €701
$1,662 €1,430
-50.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$15.3K €13.2K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$6,823 €5,869
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Wels
Vienna
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,186 €2,741
$3,409 €2,932
-6.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3
3.6
-16.67%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Wels: May 30, 2026

Last update for Vienna: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $685 in Wels and $1,232 in Vienna. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Vienna pays 7% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $73.0 in Wels vs $85.0 in Vienna for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $380 vs $396 per month, with Wels cheaper across the board.

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
Wels vs Vienna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Wels and Vienna?
Wels and Vienna differ by about 14% in total monthly costs ($1,979 vs $2,258 including rent). Wels is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Vienna earns 7% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Wels and Vienna?
Rent for a central apartment: $685 in Wels versus $1,232 in Vienna. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Wels or Vienna?
All in, you'll spend $1,979 per month in Wels versus $2,258 in Vienna – a 14% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Wels and Vienna?
A monthly transit pass in Wels runs roughly 39% 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 $3,000 per month?
At $1,979 in Wels versus $2,258 in Vienna, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Wels but tight or insufficient in Vienna. The gap between the two cities makes Wels the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Wels and Vienna?
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 Wels or Vienna safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Wels and Vienna 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: Wels or Vienna?
Expats usually find Wels gentler on the wallet – expenses run 14% less than in Vienna. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Wels vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities