Alesund vs Graz
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Graz is approximately 32% less expensive than Alesund based on cost of living including rent. This makes Graz a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Graz has a FIRE Score of 73/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 85, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Graz is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
Side by side
Best in rowNorway
Alesund
Austria
Graz
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Graz
Graz is the quietly confident choice for anyone who wants Vienna's polish without Vienna's prices. At $821/mo for a city-centre one-bedroom and a $1,196/mo budget tier for a single adult, it undercuts most Western European university cities while still delivering excellent healthcare, an 85/100 safety index, and English spoken widely enough that you will never be stuck. The trade-off is real: winters bite, the local net salary of $3,132/mo is modest, and a family of four should budget $4,111/mo excluding rent. For digital nomads and early retirees chasing a 73/100 FIRE score with a large, active expat scene in Innere Stadt, Geidorf, and Lend, it is a hard city to beat.
About Austria
Austria has a digital nomad visa available or a fast path to citizenship, neither exists here. High earners also face a 55% top tax rate above EUR 1M. But retirees clearing EUR 2,548/mo qualify for a settlement permit, and with a 70.5 safety index and strong healthcare, it suits those prioritizing stability over low taxes or easy paperwork.
Graz costs roughly 24% less than Alesund. Alesund leads on digital nomad infrastructure. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Graz is approximately 32% less expensive than Alesund based on cost of living including rent. This makes Graz a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Graz has a FIRE Score of 73/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 85, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Graz is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Alesund
Alesund is a small, safe, and walkable city where a single adult can live on a budget tier of $1,204/mo, and the 85/100 safety index and 15/100 crime index make it one of the easier Norwegian towns for newcomers to settle into. The rent math is strange: a 3-bedroom outside the center costs $1,639/mo while a 3-bedroom in the center runs just $1,140/mo, so families should look central rather than suburban. With an average net salary of $4,209/mo and a cost of living index of 84/100, Alesund is affordable by Norwegian standards, though the $4,400/mo family cost excluding rent will still sting. Choose it for the English proficiency, excellent healthcare, and 100 Mbps internet, not for big-city energy or a deep expat scene.
About Norway
Best for digital nomads thanks to its Independent Contractor Visa — one of few clear legal paths for remote workers in Europe. Safety Index of 67 and US Travel Advisory Level 1 mean crime rates far below most US metros, while healthcare is excellent (life expectancy 82.9 years) and English proficiency high. The catch: housing costs ($1,348 for a 1BR in city center) and a progressive tax up to 38.2% make it expensive, and the visa can lead to permanent residence.
$1,113/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Graz
Graz is the quietly confident choice for anyone who wants Vienna's polish without Vienna's prices. At $821/mo for a city-centre one-bedroom and a $1,196/mo budget tier for a single adult, it undercuts most Western European university cities while still delivering excellent healthcare, an 85/100 safety index, and English spoken widely enough that you will never be stuck. The trade-off is real: winters bite, the local net salary of $3,132/mo is modest, and a family of four should budget $4,111/mo excluding rent. For digital nomads and early retirees chasing a 73/100 FIRE score with a large, active expat scene in Innere Stadt, Geidorf, and Lend, it is a hard city to beat.
About Austria
Austria has a digital nomad visa available or a fast path to citizenship, neither exists here. High earners also face a 55% top tax rate above EUR 1M. But retirees clearing EUR 2,548/mo qualify for a settlement permit, and with a 70.5 safety index and strong healthcare, it suits those prioritizing stability over low taxes or easy paperwork.
$1,223/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | Alesund | Graz |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1080.85 | $820.66 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $784.49 | $693.42 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1140.12 | $1473.98 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1638.71 | $1161.98 |
| Safety Index | 85 | 85 |
| Internet Speed | 100Mbps | 120Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Alesund | Graz |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $1,887/mo | $1,777/mo |
| Excluding rent | $1,103/mo | $1,084/mo |
| Rent | $784/mo | $693/mo |
| Groceries | $287/mo | $294/mo |
| Dining out | $209/mo | $168/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $145/mo | $116/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $374/mo | $431/mo |
| Transport | $88.00/mo | $75.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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