Cost of Living: Moscow vs Salzburg (2026)

Moscow is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1499/month there vs $1537/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Salzburg is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Moscow has a rate of 7.82 per 100,000 and Salzburg has 0.88 per 100,000.

Salzburg scores 75 to Moscow's 45 on livability — the gap is real. Moscow has its charms, but the numbers favor Salzburg. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Moscow: Russia HQS Work Permit (ВКС) (moderate requirements, Up to 3 years (renewable)). Salzburg: EU Blue Card (Austria) (complex process, Up to 4 years). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Salzburg is easier for street-level English (74/100) than Moscow (32/100). That's the score that matters for doctors, landlords, and bureaucracy. Office English can still run higher than street English in both cities.

A 1-bedroom in the centre: $1499/month in Moscow, $1537/month in Salzburg (Numbeo). That's 2% cheaper rent in Moscow.

Salzburg scores 8.3/10 on the EIU Democracy Index vs 2.2/10 for Moscow. That puts it in 'full democracy' territory — free press, independent courts, the works.

Salzburg scores higher on our composite healthcare index (84/100 vs 72/100 for Moscow). That score combines clinical outcomes (IHME), universal coverage (WHO), and resident perception (Numbeo) — not just whether hospitals exist but whether the system actually works for settlers.