Townleap

Cost of Living: Graz vs Marseille (2026)

Austria vs France — relocation comparison

TL;DRGraz is 14% cheaper on rent ($772/mo vs $902/mo). Graz is safer — homicide rate 0.9 vs 1.6 per 100k. Both are solid options for settling down — the spreadsheet won't save you from this one.
77
Livability Score
🇦🇹 Graz
Austria
Full profile
76
Livability Score
🇫🇷 Marseille
France
Full profile
Graz and Marseille are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin.
Graz
Marseille
$772/mo
Rent
$902/mo
8.3/10
Democracy
8.0/10
0.9/100k
Safety
1.6/100k
74/100
English
38/100
Time to PR
5 yr
💰
Cost of Living
Graz
$131/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Graz
0.9 homicides per 100k
☀️
Weather
25°C vs 27°C summers
🗣️
English
Graz
higher proficiency score
Graz
Metric
Marseille
$772/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$902/mo
$909/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$700/mo
🧳
Cost to land
$3,775
0.9 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
1.6 / 100k
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
67 / 100
25°C
☀️
Summer high
27°C
-3°C
❄️
Winter low
4°C
Internet speed
169 Mbps
15.1 μg/m³
🌬️
Air quality (PM2.5)
7.7 μg/m³
8.3 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
8.0 / 10
74/100
🗣️
Street English
38/100
$74k
💼
GDP per capita
$63k
2.9% · Boringly steady
📈
Inflation
2.0% · Boringly steady
77 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
76 / 100
Grid reliability
93/100 — Reliable
🗽
Freedom House
90/100
📋
Time to PR
5 years

Settler Essentials

Democracy trend
stable
Industries
logisticstourismmaritimetech
Startup ecosystem
nascent
Grid reliability
93/100
Time to PR
5 yrs
EU visa
Easy
RU visa
Complex
UA visa
Easy
Retiree visa
1,767/mo

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

The Short Version

  • Rent is 14% cheaper in Graz ($772/mo vs $902/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Marseille (27°C vs 25°C).
  • Graz is safer by homicide rate (0.9 vs 1.6 per 100k).
  • Street-level English is easier in Graz (74/100 vs 38/100).

Graz vs Marseille — Common Questions

Is Graz cheaper than Marseille?

Graz is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $772/month in Graz vs $902/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Graz or Marseille?

Graz is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Graz has a rate of 0.88 per 100,000 and Marseille has 1.56 per 100,000.

Should I move to Graz or Marseille?

Graz and Marseille are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin. 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 Graz or Marseille?

Graz: no specific remote work visa. Marseille: France Talent Passport (complex process, Up to 4 years). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Which has better weather, Graz or Marseille?

Marseille is warmer in summer (27°C vs 25°C). Graz has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

Can I live in Graz or Marseille without speaking the local language?

Graz is easier for street-level English (74/100) than Marseille (38/100). That's the score that matters for doctors, landlords, and bureaucracy. Office English can still run higher than street English in both cities.

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

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