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Cost of Living: Faro vs Vienna (2026)

Portugal vs Austria — relocation comparison

TL;DRFaro is 17% cheaper on rent ($1077/mo vs $1303/mo). Faro has milder winters (9°C vs -2°C lows). Both countries will let you complain about the government in public — and mean it.
74
Livability Score
🇵🇹 Faro
Portugal
Full profile
77
Livability Score
🇦🇹 Vienna
Austria
Full profile
Too close to call — 77 vs 74. Vienna has a slight edge, but Faro might suit you better depending on your priorities.
Faro
Vienna
$1077/mo
Rent
$1303/mo
8.1/10
Democracy
8.3/10
0.7/100k
Safety
1.0/100k
72/100
English
74/100
5 yr
Time to PR
5 yr
💰
Cost of Living
Faro
$227/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Faro
0.7 homicides per 100k
☀️
Weather
28°C vs 24°C summers
Faro
Metric
Vienna
$1077/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1303/mo
$509/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$877/mo
$5,148
🧳
Cost to land
$7,164
0.7 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
1.0 / 100k
30 / 100
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
28 / 100
28°C
☀️
Summer high
24°C
9°C
❄️
Winter low
-2°C
49 Mbps
Internet speed
101 Mbps
7 μg/m³
🌬️
Air quality (PM2.5)
12.6 μg/m³
8.1 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
8.3 / 10
72/100
🗣️
Street English
74/100
$52k
💼
GDP per capita
$74k
2.4% · Boringly steady
📈
Inflation
2.9% · Boringly steady
74 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
77 / 100
78/100 — Mostly stable
Grid reliability
92/100 — Reliable
96/100
🗽
Freedom House
93/100
5 years
📋
Time to PR
5 years

Settler Essentials

stable
Democracy trend
stable
tourismreal-estateagricultureservices
Industries
life-sciencesfintechict-softwarecreative
nascent
Startup ecosystem
active
78/100
Grid reliability
92/100
5 yrs
Time to PR
5 yrs
Easy
EU visa
Easy
Complex
RU visa
Moderate
Moderate
UA visa
Moderate
Partner can work immediately
Spouse works
Partner can work immediately
920/mo
Retiree visa
IFICI (NHR 2.0)
Tax breaks

Visa stamps:Easy <90 daysModerate 3–6 moComplex 6+ mo

Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals

The Short Version

  • Rent is 17% cheaper in Faro ($1077/mo vs $1303/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Faro (28°C vs 24°C).

Faro vs Vienna — Common Questions

Is Faro cheaper than Vienna?

Faro is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1077/month in Faro vs $1303/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Faro or Vienna?

Faro is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Faro has a rate of 0.69 per 100,000 and Vienna has 1.01 per 100,000.

Should I move to Faro or Vienna?

Too close to call — 77 vs 74. Vienna has a slight edge, but Faro might suit you better depending on your priorities. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Is it easier to get residency in Faro or Vienna?

Faro: Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (moderate requirements, 2 years (renewable for 3-year periods)). Vienna: Austria Red-White-Red Card (complex process, 2 years (renewable)). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Which has better weather, Faro or Vienna?

Faro is warmer in summer (28°C vs 24°C). Vienna has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

Don't agree? Take the quiz and see what fits you.

Factor in your salary, family size, weather preferences, and deal-breakers.