City comparison · Rent & affordability
Amsterdam vs Vienna: rent and cost of living
Median rent in Amsterdam (€1,900) is 58% higher than in Vienna (€1,200). But raw rent isn't the whole picture — what you earn locally determines how much pressure that rent actually puts on your budget.
Amsterdam
Confidence: medium
Vienna
Confidence: medium
What renters actually spend (% of income)
Amsterdam
Vienna
These are what renters actually pay — not recommended targets.
Salary needed for median rent (30% rule)
Amsterdam requires €28,000 more per year to comfortably cover median rent.
Affordability verdict
Vienna is noticeably easier on the wallet. The median renter spends 24% of income on rent there, versus 30% in Amsterdam — a 6-point gap that compounds over time. Median rent is €1,200 in Vienna versus €1,900 in Amsterdam. The difference is primarily rent-driven: Amsterdam's rents are significantly higher in absolute terms. Even high earners (top 25% of renters) feel the gap: they spend 17% of income on rent in Vienna vs 22% in Amsterdam.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vienna cheaper than Amsterdam to rent in?
Yes — Vienna is more affordable relative to local incomes. The median renter in Vienna spends 24% of gross income on rent, versus 30% in Amsterdam.
What salary do you need to rent in Amsterdam vs Vienna?
To comfortably afford median rent at the 30% rule, you need €76,000/year in Amsterdam and €48,000/year in Vienna.
What is the average rent in Amsterdam compared to Vienna?
Median 1-bedroom rent is €1,900/month in Amsterdam and €1,200/month in Vienna. Budget options (bottom 10%) start at €1,200 and €750 respectively.
Explore Amsterdam in detail
Explore Vienna in detail
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