Graz, Austria

Graz sits in the southeast of Austria at 353 m above sea level, in the Europe/Vienna timezone, and it runs on a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. The city holds 253 thousand residents, and newcomers tend to settle in Innere Stadt, Geidorf, or Lend, where the expat community is large and active and English is widely spoken. The nearest airport is GRZ, 9 km away, which keeps weekend escapes and family visits simple.

Rents and daily costs are moderate by Western European standards. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre runs $821/mo, while outside the centre it drops to $693/mo. Three-bedroom units go for $1,474/mo centrally and $1,162/mo further out. Utilities add $382/mo, internet $35/mo, and a mobile plan $14/mo. A monthly public transport pass costs $75/mo and a gym membership $39/mo. Eating out is affordable: an inexpensive restaurant meal is $17 per person, a mid-range three-course meal for two is $59, and a cappuccino is $4. Excluding rent, a single person spends about $1,191/mo and a family of four about $4,111/mo. Budget, mid-range, and comfortable tiers for a single adult, rent included, come to $1,196/mo, $1,676/mo, and $1,994/mo. The average monthly net salary is $3,132/mo, and the cost of living index is 68/100 against New York City at 100.

Safety is a strong point, with a safety index of 85/100 and a crime index of 15/100, where lower is safer. Air quality is good at an index of 35, again lower being better. Healthcare quality is rated excellent, and average internet speed reaches 120 Mbps, which supports remote work and streaming without friction.

For longer stays, Austria offers a settlement permit except gainful employment, which requires a minimum monthly income of $2,548/mo, and the Austria Digital Nomad Visa (Freelancer Visa) for independent workers. GRZ is the closest airport at 9 km. With an overall expat score of 84/100, a digital nomad score of 84/100, a retiree score of 72/100, and a FIRE score of 73/100, Graz suits remote professionals, freelancers, retirees, and students who want a compact, safe, walkable city with a mild cost profile and a well-established international community.