Vienna vs Graz
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Vienna leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Graz where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Graz's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Vienna | Graz |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 64 | 64 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 44 | 47 |
| Climate | 86 | 83 |
| Safety | 66 | 66 |
| Summer °C | 20.3 | 18.9 |
| Winter °C | -0.2 | -1.9 |
| Top disaster risk | extreme cold / winter | extreme cold / winter |
Vienna vs Graz: the short answer
Graz comes out ahead on overall livability (64/100), only marginally above Vienna (64/100). The two cities diverge most on cost of living. On affordability Graz is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Vienna 44 vs Graz 47, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Vienna runs warmer in summer (about 20.3°C peak vs 18.9°C in Graz), while winter lows sit near -0.2°C in Vienna and -1.9°C in Graz. On natural-disaster exposure Graz is the safer choice (safety 66/100); the dominant modelled hazard is extreme cold / winter for Vienna and extreme cold / winter for Graz.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Graz — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Vienna — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Graz — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Graz — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Vienna or Graz better to live in?
Graz scores higher overall — 64 vs 64 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Vienna or Graz?
Graz has the lower cost of living (cost index 47 vs 44; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Vienna or Graz?
Vienna — summer highs reach about 20.3°C versus 18.9°C in Graz.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Vienna or Graz?
Graz (disaster-safety 66/100). Main hazard: extreme cold / winter in Vienna, extreme cold / winter in Graz.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Vienna?
extreme cold / winter is the dominant modelled hazard for Vienna on our risk index.
How is the Vienna vs Graz comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.