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Why the Austrian city of Innsbruck is searching for more residents

Long renowned as a vacation destination and a popular spot for many second homeowners, the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck is kicking off an information campaign to encourage people to live there full-time.

Published: 26 September 2023 10:55 CEST
Why the Austrian city of Innsbruck is searching for more residents
Christmas market in Innsbruck's old town (Innsbruck Tourismus, Photographer: Christof Lackner)

The number of people who make Innsbruck their main residence directly influences the amount of federal funding the state of Tyrol and city of Innsbruck can get – and that number has been falling for years.

That’s prompted Mayor Georg Willi (Green) to kick off the campaign to get people to move there to make it their primary home, establishing it legally as their main residence with the city’s local authority.

In January 2016, 133,222 people had Innsbruck registered as their Hauptwohnsitz – or main residence with the city’s local authority. That means they pay principal taxes in Tyrol, and their Innsbruck residence is listed on their Meldezettel, or registration certificate. That compares with 131,384 today, alongside 25,664 people who make their Nebenwohnsitz – or second residence, in the city.

READ ALSO: The best places to live in Austria that are not Vienna

Councillors with the liberal NEOS party however, are criticising the Green Mayor Georg Willi for not offering financial incentives as part of the information campaign, for example to students who move to Innsbruck.

“I would have liked to have agree to a long-term ‘Welcome to Innsbruck’ package that really would have guaranteed a boost in registrations,” said local NEOS councillor Julia Seidl.

Second home ownership is now heavily restricted in Tyrol. In addition, only EEA or Swiss nationals, alongside Austrians – are allowed to purchase property in Tyrol – even as a main residence. Non-EU nationals are generally not allowed to buy.

READ ALSO: Property buying rules for foreigners in Tyrol and Vorarlberg

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COST OF LIVING

IN NUMBERS: What are Austria’s most expensive cities to live in?

Living in Austria offers a high standard of life, but it also comes with a price tag. Here are the country's most expensive cities to live in.

Published: 9 September 2024 14:25 CEST
IN NUMBERS: What are Austria's most expensive cities to live in?

If you live in Austria, you know the standard of living is high; however, settling down in this mountainous country is not cheap.

Many international residents may find the cost of living in Austria high, especially if they come from countries with lower expenses.

Austria ranks 22nd out of 197 countries in terms of cost of living and is the 18th best country to live in.

The average salary after taxes in Austria is around  €2,547, which is enough to cover one person’s living expenses for about 1.6 months.

Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck are known as the priciest cities in the country. Here is a breakdown of the actual living costs in each of these cities.
 
 
Vienna

Vienna is often ranked as the world’s most liveable city. It is known for its great public transport system, rich culture, and green areas.
 
The capital is also one of the most expensive cities in Austria, where buying a property or renting a flat that is not part of the social housing can come with a higher price tag.
 
Eating out, enjoying cultural events such as concerts and festivals, and buying a monthly transport pass often come at higher costs than smaller cities. 

On the other hand, living in Vienna also has advantages. For example, groceries can be cheaper because of the city’s large market and competitive prices.

Due to Vienna’s well-developed infrastructure and government subsidies, public services like healthcare and education can also sometimes be more affordable.

The latest figures show that the average salary after taxes in Vienna is €2,544, and a single person’s monthly costs are estimated to reach €1,055 without rent.

The average rent in the city is €1,038 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre and €757 if you live outside the centre.

A meal at one of the cheaper restaurants and a drink will cost you around €16.50, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs about €70.

A monthly public transport pass costs €51, and a yearly pass is €365.

Regarding groceries, a litre of regular milk typically costs €1.47, a loaf of fresh white bread (500g) is about €2.66, and a kilogram of white rice is usually €2.36.

 
People biking in Vienna, the world’s most liveable city. Photo by Kristīne Kozaka on Unsplash 

READ ALSO: IN NUMBERS: How much does it cost to live in Vienna in 2024?

Salzburg

Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, is one of Austria’s most expensive cities.

The city is a popular place to live due to its history, beauty, cultural program, and location, which surrounds it with mountains and crystal clear lakes.

However, living in Salzburg comes with some of the highest costs in the country, partly due to the city’s problems with housing, where the demand is larger than the supply, and a lot of surface is used for infrastructure related to tourism.

Salzburg’s average salary after taxes is €2,568, while a single person’s monthly costs are estimated to be around €1,136 without rent.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is €1,051, and if you want to live outside the centre, you pay around €883.

A meal at a cheaper restaurant costs around €15, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is about €65.

A monthly public transport pass costs €60.

Salzburg’s litre of regular milk usually costs €1.52, a loaf of fresh white bread (500g) is about €2.35, and a kilogram of white rice around €2.65.

People strolling around the streets of Salzburg. Photo by June O on Unsplash
 

Innsbruck 

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol and is located directly in the high mountains, making it a perfect place to live if you like nature and mountain sports.

The city also offers a lot of restaurants, events, and cultural events.

It is a popular destination and the preferred city for many, which also raises the demand for housing and drives up prices.

Recent numbers in Innsbruck show that the average salary after taxes is €2,416, and a single person’s monthly expenses are estimated to reach €1,136 without rent.

The average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is €1,179, and if you live outside the centre, you can expect to pay about €967.

A meal at a budget-friendly restaurant costs around €12.50, and a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is about €55. 

You pay around €59.70 for a monthly public transport pass.

When you go the supermarkets, you will pay about €1.37, for a litre of milk, a loaf of fresh white bread (500g) costs around €2.59, and a kilogram of white rice usually costs €2.23.

Innsbruck is a popular spot for mountain lovers. Photo by Nk Ni on Unsplash
 
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