Slovenia Vs Austria: Which Country Offers Better Value?

Slovenia is a cheaper place to live than Austria. The cost of living in Austria is between 18.7% and 37% higher than in Slovenia. This includes the cost of groceries, entertainment, sports, transportation, restaurants, housing, and childcare. Rent prices in Austria are 12.7% to 16.4% higher than in Slovenia. Restaurant prices in Austria are 19.1% to 35.9% higher than in Slovenia. For those who enjoy travelling, the average after-tax salary in Austria will cover living expenses for 1.5 months, while in Slovenia, it will cover 1.2 months.

Rent and utilities

The cost of living in Austria is between 15% and 37% more expensive than in Slovenia. This includes the cost of rent and utilities.

Rent

Rent prices in Austria are 16.4% higher than in Slovenia. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Austria will cost 15.1% more than in Slovenia. A one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre will be 22.7% more expensive in Austria. A three-bedroom apartment in the city centre will be 16.4% more costly, and a three-bedroom apartment outside the city centre will be 22.7% pricier.

Utilities

Utilities for two people in a 700 sq ft apartment (including electric, gas, water, and heating) are 22.7% cheaper in Slovenia.

The cost of utilities for one person in a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio is also lower in Slovenia.

Overall Housing Costs

Housing in Austria is 13% to 15% more expensive than in Slovenia.

Food and groceries

According to the study, the biggest cost was meat, with Slovenia more expensive for meat products than other countries. Apples were found to be cheaper in Italy and Croatia, potatoes and sunflower oil were cheaper in Croatia, while pasta, cheese and sugar were cheaper in Italy. Slovenia was the cheapest when it came to buying eggs, yogurt, bread, milk and flour.

A basic meal with a drink at an inexpensive restaurant in Slovenia is 22.8% cheaper than in Austria. A fast-food combo meal is also cheaper in Slovenia.

Overall, groceries are cheaper in Slovenia than in Austria.

Transport

Slovenia is a small country, so getting around is straightforward and inexpensive. One of the best ways to travel around the country is by car. Driving in Slovenia is a good option if you are comfortable driving in foreign countries. Benefits of driving include being able to choose when to hit the road, stopping whenever you like, enjoying higher levels of comfort, and easily getting to rural and remote parts of the country where buses and trains may not go. Slovenian drivers are reportedly calmer than those across the border in Italy, and there is plenty of parking and clear signposting. Cars in Slovenia drive on the right-hand side of the road, and as of March 2024, fuel is priced at €1.49 per litre. Rental car prices start from €18 per day.

If you can’t or don’t want to drive, the bus is a good option for getting around Slovenia. Buses are comfortable, with air conditioning in summer, heating in winter, English-speaking drivers, and Wi-Fi. Bus schedules and costs can be viewed in advance on the Avtobusna Postaja Ljubljana website. A one-way bus ticket from Ljubljana to Bled costs €5.70, and a ticket from Ljubljana to Piran is €10.90.

Travelling by train is another option, although trains are a bit pricier and don’t run to as many places. Schedules can be checked on the Bahn.de website. A one-way train ticket from Ljubljana to Maribor costs €12.40.

Entertainment

When it comes to activities and entertainment, a budget traveller in Slovenia can expect to spend around $10 to $20 per day, while a mid-range traveller will likely spend between $30 to $50, and a luxury traveller may spend up to $100 per day.

Clothing

According to a cost of living summary from January 2025, clothing in Slovenia is 5.1% more expensive than in Austria. This includes items from H&M or similar stores, and men's business shoes (leather).

In terms of specific items, a pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) costs the same in both countries. The same goes for a summer dress in a high-street store (Zara, H&M, or similar retailers), a pair of sports shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands), and a pair of men's leather business shoes.

However, when looking at the cost of living more broadly, clothing is 25% more expensive in Austria than in Slovenia, according to Expatistan.com's data from December 2024. This suggests that while certain individual items may have similar prices in the two countries, the overall cost of clothing in Austria is higher.

Additionally, when considering the average cost of living for one person, Austria is 37% more expensive than Slovenia. This includes all expenses, such as food, transportation, and utilities. The average after-tax salary in Austria covers living expenses for 1.5 months, compared to 1.2 months in Slovenia.

Frequently asked questions