Cost of Living: Toronto vs Vienna (2026)

Canada vs Austria — relocation comparison

TL;DRVienna is 21% cheaper on rent ($1303/mo vs $1659/mo). Canada gets you to permanent residency 2 years faster (3 vs 5 years). Both cities require a personal relationship with your winter coat.
73
Livability Score
🇨🇦 Toronto
Canada
Full profile
77
Livability Score
🇦🇹 Vienna
Austria
Full profile
Too close to call — 77 vs 73. Vienna has a slight edge, but Toronto might suit you better depending on your priorities.
💰
Cost of Living
Vienna
$356/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Vienna
1.0 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Toronto
8.7/10 EIU index
🗣️
English
Toronto
higher proficiency score
📋
Residency
Toronto
PR in 3 years
Toronto
Metric
Vienna
$1659/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1303/mo
$722/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$877/mo
$5,350
🧳
Cost to land
$7,164
2.3 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
1.0 / 100k
44 / 100
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
28 / 100
24°C
☀️
Summer high
24°C
-6°C
❄️
Winter low
-2°C
125 Mbps
Internet speed
101 Mbps
8.7 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
8.3 / 10
Very High (91/100)
🗣️
English ease
Very High (89/100)
$65k
💼
GDP per capita
$74k
2.4%
📈
Inflation
2.9%
73 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
77 / 100
92/100 — Reliable
Grid reliability
92/100 — Reliable
97/100
🗽
Freedom House
93/100
3 years
📋
Time to PR
5 years

For the Kids

Schools, pediatric care, and whether your children can actually enroll

506
PISA
country avg
486
3
Intl schools
5
Yes (English)
Public school
Yes (German)
Fully covered once Medicare kicks in
Pediatric care
Comprehensive pediatric coverage included
6–12 weeks
Specialist wait
2–4 weeks
$962/mo
Childcare
full-day
$375/mo

Sources: OECD PISA 2022 · Wikipedia · Numbeo · official health systems

Settler Essentials

declining
Democracy trend
stable
fintechaihealthcaremedia
Industries
life-sciencesfintechict-softwarecreative
hub
Startup ecosystem
active
92/100
Grid reliability
92/100
3 yrs
Time to PR
5 yrs
Moderate
EU visa
Easy
Complex
RU visa
Moderate
Moderate
UA visa
Moderate
Your partner can also work
Spouse works
Your partner can also work

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

The Short Version

  • Rent is 21% cheaper in Vienna ($1303/mo vs $1659/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Vienna (24°C vs 24°C).
  • Vienna is safer by homicide rate (1.0 vs 2.3 per 100k).
  • English is easier to get by in Toronto (91/100 vs 89/100 English proficiency).

Toronto vs Vienna — Common Questions

Is Toronto cheaper than Vienna?

Vienna is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1303/month in Vienna vs $1659/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Toronto or Vienna?

Vienna is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Toronto has a rate of 2.27 per 100,000 and Vienna has 1.01 per 100,000.

Should I move to Toronto or Vienna?

Too close to call — 77 vs 73. Vienna has a slight edge, but Toronto 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 Toronto or Vienna?

Toronto: Canada Express Entry (complex process, Permanent residence). Vienna: Austria Red-White-Red Card (complex process, 1 year (renewable)). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Can I live in Toronto or Vienna without speaking the local language?

English is easier to get by in Toronto (EF EPI score: 91/100) than in Vienna (89/100). In Toronto, daily life and professional settings often work in English. In Vienna, learning some of the local language will make long-term settlement significantly smoother.

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

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