A Guide on Cost of Living in Austria

The cost of living in Austria is a primary concern for students opting to study in Austria. Before starting their journey in some of the top universities in the world, overseas students must consider determining factors like education quality, accommodation facilities, transportation options, and career perspectives among others. As the cost of living includes all basic amenities required for survival, international students must get a thorough idea of the prices of all the necessities. This will enable them to create a budget and manage their finances accordingly. Additionally, planning a budget will also help students apply for and avail of study abroad loans to make their journey convenient and fruitful. 

Why Choose Austria to Study Abroad?

Austria is abode to some of the top universities in the world, owing to which students from all across the world opt to study in this European nation. To experience diversity and embark on an exceptional academic journey, study abroad students must consider the following reasons to study in Austria:

• Strategically located nation in the European continent: One of the primary reasons to study in Austria is its vital location, owing to which students can discover the central and eastern parts of Europe readily and conveniently. This education hub shares borders with 8 European nations viz; Slovakia, Germany, Lichtenstein, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Hungary. All these nations are easily accessible through the bus or railway networks of Austria.
• Affordable education: Student-centric education system of Austria imparts a quality academic environment to overseas students at affordable rates. As this nation has numerous public universities, non-EU/EEA students need to pay EUR 726.72 (average) per semester as tuition fees. Additionally, some Austrian universities also exempt tuition fees for students from developing nations. 
• Opportunity to learn German language: German is the native language of most of the people in Austria, on account of which most universities provide German language courses for overseas students. Furthermore, learning this ancient language will empower students to gain employment in numerous European countries. 
• Safe and Student-Friendly Environment: Austria is known for its safety and security, making it an ideal study destination for international students. The country provides a supportive and inclusive environment, with a high standard of living and excellent healthcare facilities. Additionally, the Austrian education system places great importance on student welfare and support services.
• Affordable cost of living: Austria provides economical student accommodation and public transport facilities for students. Moreover, the low cost of food also attracts students from all over the world. 
• Rich cultural diversity and historical legacy: Austria is renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage, and stunning landscapes. Studying in Austria provides students with an opportunity to immerse themselves in a vibrant and diverse cultural environment. One can explore classical music, visit historical sites, and experience traditional festivals

Best Universities in Austria

Here are the top universities in Australia for international students:

S. No.	Universities	QS World University Rankings 2024
1	University of Vienna	130
2	University of Innsbruck	362
3	Technische Universität Wien	184
4	Graz University of Technology	421
5	University of Klagenfurt	580
6	Johannes Kepler University Linz	446
7	Karl-Franzens-Universitaet Graz	661-670
8	Paris Lodron University of Salzburg	681-690

Also Read: University of Vienna Acceptance Rate

Cost of Living in Austria

We have incorporated the approximate cost of all basic requirements of study in Austria students. The prices may vary from city to city and person to person, depending on the needs and consumptions of an individual. Let us get a bird’s eye view of the prices of daily needs in this European country. 

Transportation

Austria has a well-connected and technologically advanced public transportation system. All major cities of this country have trams, electric trains, and subways for communication. For a one-time ticket, the Vienna public transport system costs EUR 2.40, whereas, for a weekly pass it charges EUR 17.10. Here is the average cost of travelling in Austria via public transport:

Mode of Transportation	Average Charges
Taxi/km	EUR 1.40 (INR 126)
Train Fare (one-way ticket)	EUR 2.40 (INR 215)
City Centre Bus (one-way ticket)	EUR 2.40 (INR 215)

Apart from public transport, some students also opt for a car while studying in Austria. The car owners can get a litre of gasoline for nearly EUR 2 (INR 180). 

Food and Restaurants

Food products in Austria are higher than in Ukraine but lower than in most of the European countries. However, restaurants are pretty expensive than homemade food. Owing to this, it is advisable to consume homemade meals on a regular basis and visit restaurants occasionally. To prepare meals at home, students should check out the average price of the following grocery and dairy products:

Food Items	Average Prices in Austria
Apples (1 kg)	EUR 2 (INR 180)
Milk (1 litre)	EUR 1.25 (INR 110)
Rice (1 Kg)	Eur 1.80 (INR 160)
Eggs (1 dozen)	EUR 3.50 (INR 314)
Bread (1 loaf)	EUR 2 (INR 180)
Chicken Fillet	EUR 11 (INR 990)
Potatoes	EUR 1.60 (INR 144)
Wine (1 bottle)	EUR 7 (INR 630)
Cheese	EUR 11 (INR 990)

As for restaurants, food prices are extremely high throughout Austria. However, Vienna is the most expensive of all, owing to the footfall of thousands of tourists from all over the world. In Austria, an individual can have a coffee for around EUR 3 (INR 270) to EUR 4 (INR 340) and lunch at a normal restaurant for approximately EUR 14 (INR 1255). Whereas, in a fast food restaurant, overseas students can have a meal at nearly EUR 8 (INR 720). 

Must Read: Cost of Living in Austria

Accommodation

The average student accommodation rent in Austria varies between EUR 200 (INR 18000) to EUR 500 (INR 45000) per month. However, Vienna is costlier than the rest of the nation. Students residing alone need to pay around EUR 400 (INR 36000) per month, whereas, those living in student accommodations end up paying EUR 260 (INR 23300) per month. Furthermore, any individual residing with a friend or a colleague in a rented apartment or house pays approximately EUR 370 (INR 33000) each month. 

Here is the monthly rent for different types of accommodation in Vienna:

Types of Accommodation in Vienna	Average Monthly Rent in Vienna
1 BHK in City Centre	EUR 915 (INR 82000)
1 BHK on the Outskirts of City Centre	EUR 670 (INR 60000)
3 BHK in City Centre	EUR 2000 (INR 1.80 lakh)
2 BHK on the Outskirts of City Centre	EUR 1300 (INR 1.17 lakh)

Utility Bills

In addition to all the aforementioned expenditures, utility bills are also a quintessential ingredient of the monthly expenses kitty. The average estimated cost of basic utilities in Austria is tabulated below:

Utilities	Average Monthly Cost
Water, Electricity, Heating, Waste management	EUR 250 (INR 22400)
Internet	EUR 30 (INR 2700) to EUR 40 (INR 3600)
Mobile Communication	EUR 10 (INR 900) to EUR 20 (INR 1800)

Healthcare Expenses

Non-EU/EEA citizens are responsible for the cost of health insurance in Austria. If they meet the criteria for student insurance, they will be charged approximately EUR 60 (INR 5300) per month. However, if they do not meet the requirements for student insurance, they have the option to apply for coverage through a public Austrian insurance provider, but the monthly cost increases to EUR 427 (INR 38000).

Also Read: Austria Student Visa

Average Tuition Fees in Austria

EU/EEA students attending public universities are exempt from paying tuition fees if they are enrolled in a full-time degree program or participating in an exchange program. Instead, they are only required to pay a nominal fee of EUR 20 (INR 1800) per semester, which covers student union membership and student accident insurance.

On the other hand, non-EU/EEA students enrolled at public universities are typically required to pay an average of EUR 726.72 (INR 65000) per semester as tuition fees, in addition to the EUR 20 (INR 1800) semester fee. However, certain exceptions are made for students from developing countries, who are exempt from paying any tuition fees.

Whereas, private academic institutions generally have higher tuition fees compared to public universities. The exact cost varies depending on the specific study program, but foreign students can expect to pay anywhere between EUR 3,000 (INR 2.70 lakh) and EUR 23,000 (INR 21 lakh) yearly. Some specialized programs may even require tuition fees of EUR 35,000 (INR 31.40 lakh) annually or more.

Things to Consider When Moving to Austria

Before moving to Austria, overseas students must consider the following factors:

• Availability of desired courses at Austrian universities
• Terms and conditions of acquiring a student visa
• Accommodation options
• International money transfer options
• International Student account options
• Health insurance
• Part-time jobs
• Nearby train stations, bus stops, and other necessities

Also Read: Austrian Government Scholarship

FAQs

Stay in tune with Leverage Edu to explore study abroad opportunities. Opt for a 30-minute free counselling session at 1800 572 000 to plan your journey.