Best cities to live in Austria (2026)
3 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Country at a Glance
Path to PR
Graz
78/100Vienna
78/100Salzburg
72/100Compare cities in Austria
❓ Living in Austria — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Austria?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Graz ranks #1 in Austria with a score of 78/100, and city-centre rent from around $772/month.
What is the safest city in Austria?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Graz is the safest city in Austria in our database, with a rate of 0.9 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Graz or Vienna?▾
Graz scores 78/100 on our Livability Score vs 78/100 for Vienna. Rent is $772/mo in Graz vs $1303/mo in Vienna. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Austria?▾
Austria offers the EU Blue Card (Austria) (complex process). Duration: Up to 4 years. Key requirement: Job offer paying ≥ €55,678/yr (14 instalments). Degree recognition + labour market test (AMS) required. Spouse works freely.. The process is complex. Check individual city pages for full details.
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