Urban Stress Index
An indicator of housing and food cost burden across cities

Graz vs Vienna

Urban Stress & Living Expense Analysis

Data Snapshot: Graz (2026 Q1) | Vienna (2026 Q1)

Graz

Austria

23.62 Comfortable
VS

Vienna

Austria

35.26 Stretched

Comparative Metrics Breakdown

Metric Graz Vienna
Average Monthly Salary 4458.33 4416.67
Monthly Rent (1BR Central) 663.00 1082.80
Monthly Food Cost 390.00 474.50
Rental Index (% of Income) 14.87% 24.52%
Engels Index (Food % of Income) 8.75% 10.74%
Urban Stress Index (USI) 23.62 35.26

Executive Stress Analysis

A stark disparity in overall financial pressure emerges when comparing Graz and Vienna. As domestic markets within Austria, direct nominal benchmarking reveals Vienna carrying an Urban Stress Index of 35.26 (Stretched) versus Graz's 23.62 (Comfortable). Nominal 1-bedroom central rents stand at 663.00 in Graz compared to 1082.80 in Vienna. After deducting baseline central rent and essential grocery overhead, workers retain approximately 3405.23 per month in Graz versus 2859.52 in Vienna—allowing residents in Graz to retain an estimated 545.71 more in monthly discretionary buffer.

Housing overhead demands a moderately distinct share of local earnings, with Graz allocating 14.87% of salary to rent versus Vienna's 24.52%. Baseline food overhead remains comparable, with both locations requiring roughly 8.75% to 10.74% of local income for monthly grocery baskets.

Detailed Methodology & Local Sources

For complete statistical breakdowns, specific sampling proxies, and primary source citations:

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