Copenhagen VS Vienna

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Copenhagen
Denmark
85.7
COLI Index
#7
Global Rank
DKK
Currency
Vienna
Austria
48.2
COLI Index
#58
Global Rank
EUR
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
85.7
48.2
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,800
$1,000
Total Deductions
40.8%
32.6%
Exchange Rate
1 DKK = 0.1336 EUR
Is Copenhagen cheaper than Vienna?

Yes, Vienna is 44% cheaper than Copenhagen based on our cost of living index. Vienna has a COLI of 48.2, while Copenhagen has a COLI of 85.7. 44% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Copenhagen vs Vienna

Overall, Vienna is approximately 44% cheaper than Copenhagen based on our cost of living index. Copenhagen has a COLI of 85.7 (ranked #7 of 182 cities), while Vienna has a COLI of 48.2 (ranked #58).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Copenhagen averages $1,800/month compared to $1,000/month in Vienna. That makes Vienna approximately 44% cheaper for rent alone.

Vienna has lower total deductions (32.6%) compared to Copenhagen (40.8%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Vienna. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Copenhagen

Income Tax
33%
AM-bidrag + ATP
8.0%
Total: 40.8%Take-Home: kr 241,685/yr

Vienna

Income Tax
15%
Social Security
18.1%
Total: 32.6%Take-Home: €20,662/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn kr 476,092 in Copenhagen, you would need approximately €35,766 in Vienna to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 44% less thanks to lower cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Copenhagen (DKK) Vienna (EUR)
Doctor (General) kr 979,226 €73,563
Software Engineer kr 462,412 €34,738
Product Manager kr 544,014 €40,868
Lawyer kr 544,014 €40,868
Data Scientist kr 516,814 €38,825
Marketing Manager kr 391,690 €29,425
Teacher kr 261,127 €19,617
Nurse kr 315,528 €23,704

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Copenhagen (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Indre By (City Centre)1.28x (+28%)
Hellerup1.22x (+22%)
Frederiksberg1.18x (+18%)
Gentofte1.18x (+18%)
Østerbro1.15x (+15%)

Vienna (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Innere Stadt (1st)1.35x (+35%)
Döbling (19th)1.20x (+20%)
Wieden (4th)1.18x (+18%)
Josefstadt (8th)1.15x (+15%)
Neubau (7th)1.12x (+12%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Copenhagen or Vienna more expensive?

Copenhagen is more expensive overall. Copenhagen has a COLI of 85.7 while Vienna has a COLI of 48.2, making Vienna approximately 44% cheaper.

What salary in Vienna equals kr 476,092 in Copenhagen?

To maintain the same standard of living as kr 476,092 in Copenhagen, you would need approximately €35,766 in Vienna.

Is rent cheaper in Copenhagen or Vienna?

Average one-bedroom rent in Copenhagen is $1,800/month compared to $1,000/month in Vienna. Vienna has lower rent by approximately 44%.

Which city has lower taxes, Copenhagen or Vienna?

Vienna has lower total deductions (32.6%) compared to Copenhagen (40.8%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Vienna.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.