12 Best Places To Live In Austria

Quality of life is one of the most important factors to consider when deciding to relocate. Residents in Austria are ranked as having the second highest quality of life across the globe with excellent healthcare, educational systems and air quality.

We’ll take a look at some of the best places to live in Austria for work opportunities, families, immigrants and more.

Let’s start by taking a look at the best places to live in Austria.

Sections

Best Places To Live In Austria

City	Reason
Vienna	Best for work
Graz	Best for affordability
Salzburg	Best for families
Vienna	Best for immigrants
Vienna	Best for retirement
Villach	Best for young adults
Salzburg	Best for students
Graz	Best for food
Linz	Best for singles
Vienna	Best for the LGBT+ community
Salzburg	Best for the weather
Innsbruck	Best for mountains

Best Places To Live In Austria for Work

For those looking for work opportunities in Austria, the best city to consider is Vienna. The city of Vienna is the capital of Austria and one of the best places in the country to consider relocating for work.

The main industries in Vienna are agriculture, green, service, and tourism sectors, as well as its growing foreign trade. The main companies in Vienna operate in energy, financial services, telecoms, and real estate.

Highly skilled workers will find plenty of job opportunities in Vienna, especially with the shortages created by the pandemic.

Graz is another good option for expats, particularly digital nomads or those with a freelancing career as there are lots of co-working spaces scattered throughout the city.

Cheapest Places To Live In Austria

Austria is known for having some high costs attached, but there are cities throughout the country with affordable living. One of the best cities to consider for those with a smaller budget is Graz.

Graz is located in the southern Austrian province of Styria and is known for its charming baroque architecture and iconic landmarks such as the Uhrturm, a centuries-old clock tower.

Graz is more affordable than Vienna, both in terms of housing prices and the cost of living. The city is also reasonably sized so it’s easy to travel by public transport or bike.

Salzburg is another good choice for those hoping to move to Austria with a smaller budget.

Best Places To Live In Austria for Families

There’s a variety of factors you’ll want to take into account before moving. It’s good to consider the crime rate, the education systems, and the amenities offered in the surrounding neighbourhoods.

For this reason, Salzburg is one of the best cities to consider when moving to Austria as a family. Salzburg is located on the border of Germany and has wonderful surrounding scenery as well as fantastic amenities and attractions.

The city also has good healthcare, high-quality international schools and is known to be very safe.

Vienna is another city that is a great choice for families, with many expats choosing to live there for the convenience the big city provides. The only downside is that the cost of living in Vienna is higher.

Best Places To Live In Austria for Immigrants

The best city for immigrants who are hoping to move to Austria is Vienna. The capital has many amenities which make for convenient living, as well as lots of attractions and entertainment options.

There is a large, existing immigrant population in Vienna, so you will find different cultural influences across the city which is ideal for those hoping to find community or new connections.

There are good job opportunities in Vienna, also, as well as efficient public transportation and excellent healthcare. Many expats choose to live in Währing (the 18th district) as it’s got good housing options and is close to the international schools.

Another great city option for immigrants moving to Austria is Graz. Graz is the second largest city in Vienna and has a large student population. The cost of living is more affordable in Graz, and you can take advantage of the more relaxed atmosphere.

Best Places To Live In Austria for Retirement

The best city in Austria for retirement is Vienna – as the cultural hub of the country, Vienna offers residents plenty to explore in terms of architecture, arts and music, as well as having the modern amenities of a developed city.

Vienna is known as a very safe city – the country in general is considered to be very safe also – and there is excellent healthcare in Austria. There is a well-maintained public transport system, and trams, buses and trains frequently stop at some of Vienna’s main attractions.

There is so much culture and arts in the capital that retirees won’t ever feel bored.

Salzburg is another good city choice for retirees. It is much more affordable than Vienna and the architecture is outstanding.

Best Places To Live In Austria for Young Adults

Villach is a great option for young adults relocating to Vienna, particularly if they have an interest in watersports and outdoor activities. Villach is located on the Drava River and is near the Italian and Slovenian borders.

The city is known for its proximity to some outstanding lakes, such as Lake Faak and Lake Ossiach. There are lovely restaurants and cafes throughout the city, as well as quite a large student population.

For young adults who enjoy nightlife, the city of Salzburg may be a better option. It’s on the border with Germany and has some of the best nightlife in Austria.

Best Places To Live In Austria for Students

Salzburg is one of the most highly recommended cities for students. The historic centre of Salzburg was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was also the setting for The Sound of Music.

Salzburg has a range of international schools to choose from, all of them benefiting from the cultural diversity that Austria offers.

Some of Salzburg’s best-known international schools are St. Gilgen International School, Salzburg International School (SALIS) and the American International School.

Other cities like Vienna and Graz are also hailed as student hubs in the country – for those who are eager for a more fast-paced environment, Vienna may be a good choice, while Graz is perfect for students interested in culture and art.

Best Places To Live In Austria for Food

Austrian cuisine is influenced by various cultures such as Germany and Central Europe and includes main dishes such as Viennese Apfelstrudel, Wiener Schnitzel and Vienna Sausage.

The Viennese Apfelstrudel is Austria’s national dish and is a flaky pastry that is lined with apple filling and is well-loved across Austria. Contrary to popular dishes, the best city in Vienna for food lovers is Graz.

Graz is surrounded by farmland which provides the freshest produce which is then used throughout the city in some of Austria’s best dishes.

Vienna is another city with a rich culinary scene to take advantage of, though prices in Vienna for food, drink and eating out will be more expensive than in Graz.

Best Places To Live In Austria for Singles

For single people hoping to relocate to Austria, Linz is an ideal spot. Linz is located in upper Austria with impressive Baroque architecture and an interest in both art and science.

Linz straddles the Danube River midway between Salzburg and Vienna, which is ideal for those who may want to commute into the bigger cities without living in them.

With some of the best art collections around (especially in the riverside Lentos Kunstmuseum Linz), Linz is a great choice for singles hoping to soak up as much Austrian culture as possible.

Science and technology lovers will also enjoy the city as it’s home to the Ars Electronica Center which focuses on focuses on society, technology and life in the future.

Other cities such as Vienna, Salzburg and Graz are also recommended for singles, as the bustling environment and sprawling neighbourhoods offer plenty of places to find jobs, community and build a life.

Best Places To Live In Austria for the LGBT+ Community

Vienna is considered the queer capital of Austria, with several spaces and organisations dedicated to the LGBT+ community. The city holds an annual Pride parade with events celebrating queer history and culture.

As the capital, there is a large existing population of LGBT+ members which is great for those hoping to find community.

The Naschmarkt area (that connects the 4th and the 6th districts of Vienna) is a gay village with bars, clubs and saunas that cater specifically for the community.

Salzburg is another city in Austria that has a large LGBT+ community and LGBT+ events that draw in hundreds of people each year. As well as a range of events throughout the year that cater to the LGBT+ community, Salzburg has plenty of other attractions and amenities to enjoy.

Best Places To Live In Austria for the Weather

Austria has three different climate zones: the Eastern part of the country often has warm summers with less rainfall, the central region tends to have Alpine climate characteristics such as short summers and plenty of rain and the rest of the country experiences a European climate which tends to be wet and mild.

Salzburg is one of the best cities in Austria for weather. You can expect mildly warm summers in Austria, with the best months for sun being June, July and August.

Vienna is another city that benefits from being located in the East and as such is a good city to consider if you’re hoping to relocate somewhere with warm summer weather.

Best Places To Live In Austria Near Mountains

Innsbruck is the capital of Austria’s western state of Tyrol, and is located in the Alps – an ideal spot for those who want to have outstanding mountains on their doorsteps.

The famous mountain range near Innsbruck is called the Nordkette, also variously called the North Chain or Northern Range and is located just north of Innsbruck.

Snow sports such as skiing and snowboarding are common in Innsbruck and draw interest from hundreds of tourists each year. Innsbruck is also the ideal city for those who enjoy gentler forms of outdoor activity such as walking or hiking.