When compared to global averages, Austria falls somewhere in the middle with regard to cost of living. In a recent survey by Mercer, Vienna ranked 19th out of the top 50 most expensive cities in the world. While slightly higher than North American averages, it is still less expensive than its neighbors Switzerland and the UK. Cost of living statistics cited in this section provide information about the national averages; it should be noted that figures will vary across rural and urban regions. Rural regions offer cheaper rent and food, for instance, but transportation is more expensive.

Food in Austria basically costs what it does in the rest of the European Union. Products in Austrian cities come from all over Europe. Vienna is not an inexpensive tourist destination in Europe, but most visitors will agree that it is an excellent place to shop. The cost of food and drink varies. There are many inexpensive local pubs serving good Austrian and international dishes. Entrees typically cost between 7.32 to 10.24 USD (5 to 7 EUR). Beverages typically cost between 1.50 to 4.50 USD (1 to 3 EUR). Of course, there are higher priced restaurants, especially in the inner city, where a meal typically goes for 16.00 to 26.00 USD (11 to 18 EUR). A good bottle of wine starts at 14.50 USD (10 EUR) and goes up from there.

This is just a sample of what you'll find in the complete Austria guide.