Holmestrand vs Graz
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Graz is approximately 8% less expensive than Holmestrand 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
Holmestrand
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.
Holmestrand costs roughly 62% less than Graz. Graz has significantly faster average internet speeds (120 Mbps vs 75 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Graz is approximately 8% less expensive than Holmestrand 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 Holmestrand
Holmestrand is a tiny fjord town of 9 thousand where a city-center one-bedroom runs $888/mo and a three-bedroom outside the center drops to $950/mo, numbers that make the $3,691/mo average net salary stretch further than in Oslo. The trade-off is real: a small expat community, a 75 Mbps connection, and a $1,050/mo single-person cost excluding rent mean you are buying safety (crime index 8/100) and clean air (28) rather than big-city energy. If you want excellent healthcare, widely spoken English, and a 21 km hop to OSL, this works; if you need a crowd, look elsewhere.
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.
$992/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
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| Metric | Holmestrand | Graz |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $888.04 | $820.66 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $720 | $693.42 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1149.23 | $1473.98 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $950 | $1161.98 |
| Safety Index | 90 | 85 |
| Internet Speed | 75Mbps | 120Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Holmestrand | Graz |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $2,008/mo | $1,777/mo |
| Excluding rent | $1,288/mo | $1,084/mo |
| Rent | $720/mo | $693/mo |
| Groceries | $345/mo | $294/mo |
| Dining out | $209/mo | $168/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $142/mo | $116/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $507/mo | $431/mo |
| Transport | $85.00/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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