Townleap

Cost of Living: Split vs Vienna (2026)

Croatia vs Austria — relocation comparison

Your passport:
68
Livability Score
🇭🇷 Split
Croatia
Full profile
78
Livability Score
🇦🇹 Vienna
Austria
Full profile
Split
Vienna
$1077/mo
Rent
$1303/mo
68/100
Livability
78/100
79/100
Safety
87/100
77/100
Healthcare
85/100
PR path
5 yr
Internet
101 Mbps
Obrt
Freelance setup

Wise ✓ · Wise ✓

EPU
Tax breaks

Open incentive regimes for newcomers

Zuzugsfreibetrag (Researcher Relocation Allowance), Flat-Rate Foreign Income Tax (Zuzugsbegünstigung)

Sourced from Numbeo · Updated April 2026

TL;DRSplit is 17% cheaper on rent ($1077/mo vs $1303/mo). Vienna scores 8.3 vs 6.5 on democracy. You can get by in English in both — your Duolingo streak can wait.
Vienna scores 78 to Split's 68 on livability — the gap is real. Split has its charms, but the numbers favor Vienna.
Household
Split
Metric
Vienna
$1077/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1303/mo
$670/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$877/mo
$5,244
🧳
Cost to land
$7,164
0.8 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
1.0 / 100k
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
28 / 100
30°C
☀️
Summer high
24°C
4°C
❄️
Winter low
-2°C
Internet speed
101 Mbps
8.9 μg/m³
🌬️
Air quality (PM2.5)
12.6 μg/m³
6.5 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
8.3 / 10
74/100
🗣️
Street English
74/100
$50k
💼
GDP per capita
$74k
3.0% · Boringly steady
📈
Inflation
2.9% · Boringly steady
68 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
78 / 100
Grid reliability
92/100 — Reliable
🗽
Freedom House
93/100
📋
Time to PR
5 years

Sources: Numbeo · UNODC · Ookla · WHO · EIU · World Bank · Freedom House · Updated April 2026

💰
Cost of Living
Split
$227/mo cheaper on rent alone
🗳️
Democracy
Vienna
8.3/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
30°C vs 24°C summers

Settler Essentials

stable
Democracy trend
stable
improving
Inflation trend
improving
Industries
life-sciencesfintechict-softwarecreative
Startup ecosystem
active
Grid reliability
92/100
Time to PR
5 yrs
🇺🇸 Your visa
Moderate
EU visa
Easy
RU visa
Moderate
UA visa
Moderate
Spouse works
Partner can work immediately
Tax breaks
Zuzugsfreibetrag (Researcher Relocation Allowance), Flat-Rate Foreign Income Tax (Zuzugsbegünstigung)

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

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

Reproductive Rights

Because your body shouldn't need a visa too

On request
Abortion access
On request
10 wk
Gestational limit
14 wk

On request up to 10 weeks. Access limited in practice due to widespread conscientious objection.

Legal within first trimester. Counseling required.

Source: Center for Reproductive Rights

The Short Version

  • Rent is 17% cheaper in Split ($1077/mo vs $1303/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are noticeably warmer in Split (30°C vs 24°C).
  • Vienna scores higher on democracy (8.3 vs 6.5 / 10 EIU).

Split vs Vienna — Common Questions

Is Split cheaper than Vienna?

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

Which is safer, Split or Vienna?

Split is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Split has a rate of 0.77 per 100,000 and Vienna has 1.01 per 100,000.

Should I move to Split or Vienna?

Vienna scores 78 to Split's 68 on livability — the gap is real. Split has its charms, but the numbers favor Vienna. 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 Split or Vienna?

Split: no specific remote work visa. Vienna: EU Blue Card (Austria) (complex process, Up to 4 years). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Which has better weather, Split or Vienna?

Split is warmer in summer (30°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.

What's the cost of rent in Split vs Vienna?

A 1-bedroom in the centre: $1077/month in Split, $1303/month in Vienna (Numbeo). That's 17% cheaper rent in Split.

Is Split or Vienna better for democracy and rule of law?

Vienna scores 8.3/10 on the EIU Democracy Index vs 6.5/10 for Split. That puts it in 'full democracy' territory — free press, independent courts, the works.

Is healthcare better in Split or Vienna?

Vienna scores higher on our composite healthcare index (85/100 vs 77/100 for Split). 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.

Plot twist: other matchups exist

Maybe the real city was the comparisons we made along the way.

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