Compare countries · Austria vs Germany
Austria vs Germany
Austria(Europe)·
Germany(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Austria leads on 4, Germany on 5, 4 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Austria cheaper than Germany?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Austria at 71.3 and Germany at 68.7. Germany is about 4% cheaper overall.
Is Austria or Germany safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Austria scores 1.42 and Germany scores 1.66. Austria ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Austria or Germany?
On the UN Human Development Index, Austria scores 0.930 and Germany scores 0.959. Germany scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Austria compared to Germany?
GNI per capita runs $60,360 in Austria against $60,200 in Germany; people live 82.0 years on average against 80.8; Numbeo users rate healthcare 79 against 72. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Austria
71.3
Worse than 92% of countries
Germany
68.7
Worse than 89% of countries
Germany: 4% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Austria
25.1
Worse than 83% of countries
Germany
24.6
Worse than 80% of countries
Germany: 2% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Austria
1.42
Better than 97% of countries
Germany
1.66
Better than 83% of countries
Austria: more peaceful (1.42 vs 1.66).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Austria
71.5
Better than 82% of countries
Germany
61.6
Better than 64% of countries
Austria: higher perceived safety (71.5 vs 61.6).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Austria
0.930
Better than 89% of countries
Germany
0.959
Better than 97% of countries
Germany: higher human development (0.959 vs 0.930).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Austria
$76,778
Better than 91% of countries
Germany
$75,407
Better than 90% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Austria
82.0 yrs
Better than 84% of countries
Germany
80.8 yrs
Better than 79% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Austria
78.9
Better than 95% of countries
Germany
72.4
Better than 79% of countries
Austria: better-rated healthcare (78.9 vs 72.4).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Austria
113 Mbps
Better than 61% of countries
Germany
103 Mbps
Better than 58% of countries
Austria: 10% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Austria
79/100
Better than 89% of countries
Germany
82/100
Better than 92% of countries
Germany: freer press (82 vs 79 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Austria
6.84
Better than 88% of countries
Germany
6.88
Better than 89% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Austria
616
Better than 92% of countries
Germany
615
Better than 91% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Austria
76.6
Worse than 58% of countries
Germany
82.9
Better than 57% of countries
Germany: more pleasant climate rating (82.9 vs 76.6).
Deciding between Austria and Germany for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Austria profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Germany profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.