Townleap

Cost of Living: Graz vs Paris (2026)

Austria vs France — relocation comparison

TL;DRGraz is 52% cheaper on rent ($772/mo vs $1604/mo). English is much more widely spoken in Graz. Both are solid options for settling down — the spreadsheet won't save you from this one.
77
Livability Score
🇦🇹 Graz
Austria
Full profile
72
Livability Score
🇫🇷 Paris
France
Full profile
Graz edges ahead 77 to 72. Paris isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you.
Graz
Paris
$772/mo
Rent
$1604/mo
8.3/10
Democracy
8.0/10
0.9/100k
Safety
1.1/100k
74/100
English
38/100
Time to PR
5 yr
💰
Cost of Living
Graz
$832/mo cheaper on rent alone
🗣️
English
Graz
higher proficiency score
Graz
Metric
Paris
$772/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1604/mo
$909/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$817/mo
🧳
Cost to land
$6,210
0.9 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
1.1 / 100k
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
58 / 100
25°C
☀️
Summer high
24°C
-3°C
❄️
Winter low
2°C
Internet speed
173 Mbps
15.1 μg/m³
🌬️
Air quality (PM2.5)
11.2 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
72 / 100
Grid reliability
93/100 — Reliable
🗽
Freedom House
90/100
📋
Time to PR
5 years

Settler Essentials

Democracy trend
stable
Industries
fintechluxury-fashionaerospaceai
Startup ecosystem
hub
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 52% cheaper in Graz ($772/mo vs $1604/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Graz (25°C vs 24°C).
  • Street-level English is easier in Graz (74/100 vs 38/100).

Graz vs Paris — Common Questions

Is Graz cheaper than Paris?

Graz is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $772/month in Graz vs $1604/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Graz or Paris?

Graz is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Graz has a rate of 0.88 per 100,000 and Paris has 1.10 per 100,000.

Should I move to Graz or Paris?

Graz edges ahead 77 to 72. Paris isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you. 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 Paris?

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

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

Graz is easier for street-level English (74/100) than Paris (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.

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