City comparison · Rent & affordability
Milan vs Vienna: rent and cost of living
Median rent in Milan (€1,500) is 25% 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.
Milan
Confidence: low
Vienna
Confidence: medium
What renters actually spend (% of income)
Milan
Vienna
These are what renters actually pay — not recommended targets.
Salary needed for median rent (30% rule)
Milan requires €12,000 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 33% in Milan — a 9-point gap that compounds over time. Median rent is €1,200 in Vienna versus €1,500 in Milan. Both lower rents and relatively stronger local incomes contribute to Vienna's affordability advantage. Even high earners (top 25% of renters) feel the gap: they spend 17% of income on rent in Vienna vs 24% in Milan.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vienna cheaper than Milan 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 33% in Milan.
What salary do you need to rent in Milan vs Vienna?
To comfortably afford median rent at the 30% rule, you need €60,000/year in Milan and €48,000/year in Vienna.
What is the average rent in Milan compared to Vienna?
Median 1-bedroom rent is €1,500/month in Milan and €1,200/month in Vienna. Budget options (bottom 10%) start at €900 and €750 respectively.
Explore Milan in detail
Explore Vienna in detail
Related comparisons