Federal States of Austria (Bundeslaender)
Last updated: March 2026
As of March 2026, Austria is a federal republic of nine states (Bundeslaender) with a total population of approximately 9.1 million. According to Statistics Austria, Vienna is the most populous state at roughly 2 million residents, while Burgenland is the least at 300,000. Each state has its own government and parliament, with significant regional variation in housing costs, dialect, culture, and job markets.
What Is It Like to Live in Vienna (Wien)?
Capital: Vienna 路 Population: ~2 million 路 Best for: international careers, culture, public transport
Vienna is both Austria's capital and its smallest state by area. It is the political, economic, and cultural heart of the country, home to international organizations (UN, OSCE, OPEC), a thriving tech scene, world-renowned museums, and the famous coffee house culture. Most expats settle in Vienna due to its international character and job opportunities. Be sure to complete your Vienna registration within three days of moving in.
What Is It Like to Live in Lower Austria (Niederoesterreich)?
Capital: St. Poelten 路 Population: ~1.7 million 路 Best for: affordable suburban living near Vienna
Lower Austria surrounds Vienna and is the largest state by area. It offers a mix of suburban living near Vienna, wine-growing regions like the Wachau (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and rural countryside. Many people live in Lower Austria and commute to Vienna for work, benefiting from lower housing costs.
What Is It Like to Live in Upper Austria (Oberoesterreich)?
Capital: Linz 路 Population: ~1.5 million 路 Best for: industry jobs, tech, lakeside living
Upper Austria is an industrial powerhouse and one of the most economically productive states. Linz, the capital, has transformed from a steel city into a hub for technology, art, and innovation, home to the Ars Electronica Center. The Salzkammergut lake region in the south is one of Austria's most scenic areas.
What Is It Like to Live in Styria (Steiermark)?
Capital: Graz 路 Population: ~1.25 million 路 Best for: affordable university city, wine country
Styria is known as the "green heart of Austria" for its lush landscapes, vineyards, and pumpkin seed oil. Graz, the second-largest city in Austria, is a vibrant university town with a UNESCO-listed old town and a strong automotive industry. Housing is more affordable than in Vienna, and the quality of life is excellent.
What Is It Like to Live in Salzburg?
Capital: Salzburg 路 Population: ~560,000 路 Best for: culture, tourism, Alpine access
Famous as the birthplace of Mozart and the setting of The Sound of Music, Salzburg combines baroque architecture with stunning Alpine scenery. The city of Salzburg is a major tourist destination and cultural center, hosting the world-renowned Salzburg Festival each summer. The surrounding region offers excellent skiing and outdoor recreation.
What Is It Like to Live in Tyrol (Tirol)?
Capital: Innsbruck 路 Population: ~760,000 路 Best for: skiing, outdoor sports, mountain lifestyle
Tyrol is synonymous with the Austrian Alps. Innsbruck, a former Winter Olympics host city, sits in a valley surrounded by mountains and is a major center for winter sports, tourism, and university life. Housing can be expensive due to limited space in the Alpine valleys, but the unparalleled access to nature makes it a top choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
What Is It Like to Live in Carinthia (Kaernten)?
Capital: Klagenfurt 路 Population: ~560,000 路 Best for: relaxed lifestyle, warm lakes, affordable housing
Austria's southernmost state borders Italy and Slovenia. Carinthia is known for its warm lakes (Woerthersee, Millstaetter See), mild climate, and bilingual Slovenian-German communities. It is less international than Vienna or Tyrol but offers a relaxed lifestyle with affordable housing.
What Is It Like to Live in Vorarlberg?
Capital: Bregenz 路 Population: ~400,000 路 Best for: high-earning jobs, Lake Constance, Swiss proximity
Austria's westernmost state borders Switzerland, Germany, and Liechtenstein. Vorarlberg has a distinct Alemannic dialect quite different from the rest of Austria and a strong economy driven by manufacturing and tourism. Bregenz sits on Lake Constance (Bodensee) and hosts the famous Bregenz Festival. The cost of living is higher, influenced by proximity to Switzerland.
What Is It Like to Live in Burgenland?
Capital: Eisenstadt 路 Population: ~300,000 路 Best for: lowest cost of living, wine, renewable energy
Burgenland is Austria's easternmost and least populated state, bordering Hungary. It is known for its wine production, Neusiedlersee (a UNESCO World Heritage steppe lake), and the flat Pannonian landscape. Living costs are among the lowest in Austria, and it has been investing heavily in renewable energy, particularly wind power.