Skyline of Salzburg
Cost of Living: 110 157,245

Salzburg, Austria

Mozart's birthplace and the setting for The Sound of Music, a Baroque jewel nestled against the Alps with a UNESCO-listed old town and world-famous music festival.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Salzburg is a city in Salzburg with a population of 157,245. Mozart’s birthplace and the setting for The Sound of Music, a Baroque jewel nestled against the Alps with a UNESCO-listed old town and world-famous music festival. Housing is notably more expensive than the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 110

Above Average vs Austria Avg (100)

Housing Index 130

Above Average

Median Income €44,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.0%

Job market health

Salzburg vs Austria Average

Cost of Living
Salzburg: 110
Austria Avg: 100
Housing Index
Salzburg: 130
Austria Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Salzburg: 36.5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 36.5%
  • Sales Tax: 20.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: €44,000
  • Unemployment: 4.0%
  • Population: 157,245

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 190/year
  • Summer High: 77°F
  • Winter Low: 26°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: €450,000
  • 1BR Rent: €1000/mo

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Cost of Living

Salzburg's cost of living index is 110 (Austria average = 100).

CategorySalzburgNational AverageDifference
Overall110100+10.0%
Housing130100+30.0%

Data source: Statistik Austria / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price€450,000
Median Rent (1BR)€1000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)€1,250/mo
Price per Sq Ft€300

Data source: Willhaben / Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

%
$90,000 down
%
%

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Salzburg:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity€100
Heating & Cooling€121Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water€40Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)€40Broadband average
Garbage / Trash€20Private service
Total Utilities€321Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: E-Control, Wien Energie, A1 2025

Remote Work Score

Salzburg scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
110
Rent
€1000
Sunny Days
190
Tax
36.5%
Unemployment
4.0%
Climate
77°F / 26°F
Safety
0.9 homicides/100k
Population
157,245
Internet Speed
120 Mbps

Climate

Salzburg has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January46°F26°F2.5"
April62°F41°F2.8"
July77°F52°F1.5"
October57°F44°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Salzburg faces the following natural hazards:

Blizzard High Risk

Austria experiences severe winter storms in the Alps.

Avalanche High Risk

Alpine region with frequent avalanches.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding along Danube.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Alpine region with landslides.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Austria experiences occasional tornadoes.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 36.5%
  • Sales Tax: 20%
  • Property Tax: ~0.3% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 4.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Salzburg per 100,000 residents:

85.1
Violent Crime
1,919.3
Property Crime
0.9
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Academic Year September to July
Term System Semester — Winter (Sep-Feb), Summer (Feb-Jul)
Summer Break July to September (9 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break February (1 week)

Semester break in February. National curriculum with state-level administration.

Universities & Higher Education

4
Universities
#1147
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University University of Salzburg

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Salzburg is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Austrian
80.0%
Other
7.0%
Other European
10.0%
Turkish
3.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
35.0%
High school graduate
30.0%
Less than high school
15.0%
Some college
20.0%

Religion

Christian (Catholic)
56.0%
Muslim
8.0%
Other
6.0%
Unaffiliated
30.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Statistics Austria (2022)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Salzburg, Austria?

The cost of living index in Salzburg is 110, which is Higher the Austria national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Salzburg?

The median home price in Salzburg is €450,000. The housing index is 130.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Salzburg is approximately €1000/mo.

Does Salzburg, SZ have income tax?

Salzburg is in SZ, which has an income tax rate of 36.5%.

What is the climate like in Salzburg?

Salzburg enjoys approximately 190 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 77°F, while winter lows can drop to around 26°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Statistik Austria / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Willhaben / Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: Statistik Austria Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities E-Control, Wien Energie, A1 2025

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.