Cost of Living in Austria: Budgeting for International Students (2025 Full Guide)

Planning to study in Austria in 2025? One of the first things you’ll want to figure out is how much is actually the cost of living in Austria as an international student. After all, knowing your monthly expenses ahead of time helps you focus on your studies rather than worrying about money.

The good news? Austria combines high-quality education with a relatively affordable cost of living, especially compared to many Western European countries like Germany or France. Whether you’re headed to Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, or Innsbruck, careful budgeting can help you enjoy student life without breaking the bank.

In this guide, we’ll break down all the major monthly expenses, rent, food, transportation, health insurance, and more-so, you can plan your finances confidently.

Average Monthly Cost of Living in Austria for Students

Your total monthly expenses will depend on three main factors:

1. City of residence: Big cities like Vienna and Salzburg cost more than smaller towns like Graz.
2. Type of accommodation: Dormitories are cheaper than private apartments.
3. Lifestyle choices: Eating out frequently and traveling often will naturally increase costs.

Here’s a city-wise breakdown of typical student expenses in 2025:

City-wise Cost Comparison Table

City	Accommodation (EUR)	Food (EUR)	Transport (EUR)	Total Monthly Cost (EUR)
Vienna	300–600	200–300	30–78	900–1,300
Salzburg	280–550	200–280	30–60	900–1,200
Graz	260–500	180–250	30–55	850–1,000
Innsbruck	280–520	190–260	30–60	870–1,050

Key Insight: Smaller cities like Graz and Innsbruck tend to be more affordable than Vienna, especially when it comes to rent and daily expenses.

Complete Student Budget Planner for Austria

To help you plan better, here’s a category-wise monthly expense guide:

Expense Category	Estimated Cost (EUR)
Accommodation	260–600
Food & Groceries	200–300
Public Transport	30–78
Health Insurance	60–70
Study Materials	20–50
Phone & Internet	20–30
Leisure & Social Life	100–200

So, if you’re living in a shared flat, cook at home, and use student discounts, your total monthly budget can stay below €1,000 in most Austrian cities.

Detailed Breakdown of Monthly Expenses

Let’s look at each expense in more detail so you can see where your money will go.

Accommodation Costs

Accommodation is usually the biggest expense for international students in Austria. Your options include:

• Student Dormitories (260 – 450 EUR/month): Managed by organizations like OeAD, they are the most affordable option, especially for first-year students. Many include utilities and internet in the rent.
• Shared Apartments (WG): Cost between €350 – €600/month depending on location. A great way to save money and make friends.
• Private Apartments: Solo living can be expensive, with rents starting from €600/month and going much higher in Vienna city center.

Pro Tip: Apply early for dorms as spots fill up quickly before the semester begins.

Food and Groceries

On average, students spend €200 – €300/month on food. You can keep costs low by:

• Shopping at discount supermarkets like Hofer, Lidl, and Spar
• Eating at university canteens (Mensa) where meals cost only €4–€6
• Cooking at home rather than eating out frequently

If you like dining out, expect to pay:

• €7–€12 for a simple meal at a cheap restaurant
• €20–€30 per person for a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant

Public Transportation

Austria’s public transport system is efficient and student-friendly:

• Vienna Semester Ticket: ~€78 for the whole semester (4–5 months)
• Monthly Ticket in Smaller Cities: €30–€60 depending on the location
• Biking is popular and free many students use it for daily commuting

Health Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory for all international students. The public student health insurance (ÖGK) costs around €70.79/month in 2025.

This covers doctor visits, hospitalization, and emergency care. Private insurance is available but often more expensive.

Study Materials and Internet

• Books and study materials cost €20 – €50/month on average, though many universities offer free digital resources.
• Phone and internet packages cost about €20 – €30/month. Providers like A1, Hot, Drei, and Magenta have student-friendly plans.

Leisure and Social Life

Austria has a vibrant student culture with countless events, museums, and nightlife activities. A night out with friends or a weekend trip might cost €100 – €200/month depending on your interests.

Movie tickets cost about €11, coffee about €3, and beer between €2–€4. With a student ID, you’ll enjoy discounts at gyms, theaters, and cultural venues.

Tips to Save Money as a Student in Austria

Studying abroad can be expensive, but these tips can help keep your costs under control:

1. Use Student Discounts Everywhere: Transport, restaurants, museums—always carry your student ID.
2. Live in Shared Flats or Dorms: Splitting rent and utilities can save you hundreds of euros each month.
3. Cook at Home: It’s cheaper and healthier than eating out regularly.
4. Buy Second-Hand Books: Many student groups resell books at discounted prices.
5. Track Your Expenses: Apps like N26, Revolut, or Mint help you stay on budget.
6. Consider Part-Time Jobs: Non-EU students can work up to 20 hours/week during the semester.

Summary of the Cost of Living in Austria for International Students

🏠 Accommodation

• University Dormitory: €260 – €450/month
• Shared Apartment (WG): €350 – €600/month
• Private Apartment: €600 – €850/month

🍽️ Food & Groceries

• Groceries: €200 – €300/month
• University Canteen Meal: €4 – €6 per meal
• Cheap Restaurant Meal: €7 – €12 per meal
• Mid-Range Restaurant Meal: €20 – €30 per meal

🚍 Public Transportation

• Vienna Semester Ticket: €78/semester
• Small City Monthly Ticket: €30 – €60
• Biking (one-time purchase): €20 – €50

🎉 Leisure & Social Life

• Weekend Trips: €100 – €200/month
• Movie Ticket: €11
• Coffee: €3
• Beer: €2 – €4

📚 Study Materials & Internet

• Books & Study Materials: €20 – €50/month
• Phone & Internet Package: €20 – €30/month

🏥 Health Insurance

• Public Student Health Insurance (ÖGK): €66.79/month

Final Thoughts

Studying in Austria offers a perfect balance of quality education, cultural experiences, and affordable living costs. With a monthly budget of €900–€1,300, you can live comfortably in most Austrian cities while enjoying everything from skiing trips to classical music concerts. By choosing budget-friendly housing, using student discounts, and planning meals wisely, you’ll have plenty of room in your budget for leisure and travel too.

So, start planning today—Austria’s academic and cultural opportunities await!

FAQs: Cost of Living in Austria for International Students