Best Cities in Austria to Live In 2026
3 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Graz
77/100Vienna
77/100Salzburg
68/100Compare 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 77/100, 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 77/100 on our Livability Score vs 77/100 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 Austria Red-White-Red Card (complex process). Duration: 2 years (renewable). Key requirement: Points-based system: education, skills, language, age. Also available for self-employed with business plan.. The process is complex. Check individual city pages for full details.