5 Rooms to Rent in Vienna

Vienna attracts many people with its quality of life and numerous education and job opportunities. For newcomers and locals looking for a affordable accommodation, a room in a shared flat (WG) is often the ideal solution.

Especially students and young professionals often decide to rent a room in a shared flat in Vienna to save on housing costs and live communally.

• Rent: A room in a shared flat in Vienna costs on average €400–600 including utilities; in outlying districts there are cheaper offers from around €300.
• Deposit: Before moving in, a deposit of 2–3 months' rent is usually required, which you get back when you move out provided no damage has occurred.
• Additional costs: Electricity, heating and internet are often not included and are fairly divided among all flatmates; rent including utilities means these costs are already covered.
• Popular districts: Central districts such as Neubau (7th), Josefstadt (8th) and Alsergrund (9th) are popular with students but more expensive; in outer districts like Favoriten (10th), Ottakring (16th) or Floridsdorf (21st) you can find larger and cheaper rooms.
• Transport connections: Even in more distant districts you can usually reach the center in 20–30 minutes thanks to the U-Bahn, tram and S-Bahn – a clear advantage for cheaper living outside the center.

Living together in a shared flat (WG) is widespread in Vienna. Whether in a period apartment (Altbau) with high ceilings or in a modern new-build apartment – shared flats can be found in almost every district.

Students in particular often choose a room in a shared flat because the rent for a single apartment in Vienna can be high. Instead of living alone, flatmates share the costs for rent, electricity and heating as well as everyday life with the housemates.

Shared flat life offers many advantages: you don’t live alone, you meet new people and you can share expenses (e.g. for electricity and heating). In a well-harmonized WG a small community can form, where you spend evenings together in the kitchen or help each other out.

Of course, living together also requires consideration and willingness to compromise – from following a cleaning rota to agreeing on visits. Overall, living in a shared flat in Vienna is for many a rewarding experience that both saves costs and promotes social contacts.

Rooms in shared flats in Vienna vary depending on apartment type and location, but typically offer the following features and amenities:

• Room size: The size of a room in a shared flat can vary widely. Usually the living area is about 10 to 25 m². In period apartments the rooms are often generously proportioned with high ceilings, while in newer apartments the rooms can be more compact.
• Furnishing: Some rooms are rented fully or partially furnished (e.g. with bed, wardrobe and desk), others are unfurnished. Clarify in advance with the listings whether furniture is provided or whether you need to bring your own.
• Kitchen and common areas: The communal kitchen is the important center of every shared flat, where people cook, eat and talk together. Often there is also a shared living room or at least a dining area; bathroom and toilet are usually shared with the other flatmates.
• Balcony, loggia or terrace: Not every apartment has outdoor space, but many WGs in Vienna score with a small balcony or loggia. In higher price ranges or larger apartments there may even be a terrace or access to a garden, which is particularly attractive in summer.
• Additional costs: In most WGs you pay electricity, heating, internet etc. in addition to the rent, and these additional costs are divided among all flatmates. If the listing mentions rent including utilities, these costs are already included; with cold rent they are added on top.
• Deposit: In WGs a deposit of two to three months' rent is usually required. This money serves as security and is returned to you at the end of the tenancy provided no damage has occurred.

In addition to these points, WGs can have individual rules or particularities. Some WGs place great value on cleanliness and have a strict cleaning rota, while others are more loosely organized.

It is important that you discuss all important topics with your new flatmates when you move in – from how to handle food in the fridge to quiet hours and shared purchases (such as cleaning supplies or toilet paper). This helps avoid misunderstandings and creates a pleasant communal life.

Vienna is divided into 23 districts, each with its own charm and rental prices. Location plays a major role when searching for a room in a shared flat. In general: central districts (1st to 9th district) are popular because they offer short distances to universities, the city center and leisure facilities.

Many students live, for example, in the 7th district (Neubau) or the 8th district (Josefstadt) with their vibrant student scenes. The 9th district (Alsergrund) near the university is also in demand. However, rents in these locations are higher – a room in a shared flat can often cost €450 to €600 per month.

In the outer districts (from the 10th district onward) you can find larger apartments and cheaper rooms. Districts like Favoriten (10th), Meidling (12th) or Ottakring (16th) offer moderate rents and a colorful, multicultural environment.

Floridsdorf (21st) and Donaustadt (22nd) are also popular with students who accept a longer commute in exchange for more living space. Thanks to the good U-Bahn and S-Bahn connections, however, you can still reach the city center in about 20–30 minutes from there.

Some prefer a quiet, green residential area (e.g. Döbling, 19th district), while others are drawn to the urban buzz (e.g. Mariahilf, 6th district, with a lively nightlife). Think about which criteria are important to you – proximity to university or workplace, rent, room size, surroundings – and choose the district according to your priorities.

Not every shared flat is the same – offers and types of WGs in Vienna are diverse. WGs often differ by the composition of the residents and their lifestyle:

• Student WG: The classic WG consists of students and is often located near universities. Life here is lively – people cook together, study together and go out in the evenings. Budgets are usually tight, so the rent should be as affordable as possible (often financed by part-time jobs or parental support).
• Working professionals’ WG: Here live people who are already working. During the week they tend to seek more peace after work. A working professionals’ WG is usually somewhat quieter and more organized – for example, there are fixed cleaning rosters. The apartments are often better equipped, since the flatmates have a regular income.
• Themed or interest-based WG: There are also WGs that are formed around a shared interest. For example, some athletes form a WG to better coordinate training and daily life – they focus on healthy eating and exercising together. Other themed WGs include artist WGs, music WGs with rehearsal space, or international WGs where only English is spoken.

It is important that the flatmates suit each other. Meet with the WG before moving in to see whether the chemistry is right and whether your ideas about living together match.

It is best to clarify early on whether you want to do a lot together or prefer a purely practical WG – this way you avoid conflicts and can have a harmonious shared flat life.

• About a quarter of all students in Vienna live in a shared flat. Many young professionals also prefer a room in a shared flat to save on rent.
• The average rent including utilities for a room in a shared flat in Vienna is roughly €400 to €600 per month, depending on location. In highly sought-after districts costs can be higher, while in outlying areas you can find offers around €300.
• Usually a deposit of 2 to 3 months' rent is required before moving in. This money is returned after you move out, provided no damage was caused to the room or apartment.
• In many WGs, electricity, heating and internet are billed separately. These costs are usually fairly divided among the flatmates – for example via a shared WG account – so that everyone pays their share.
• Vienna has an excellent public transport network. Even if your room in a shared flat is not in the city center, you can usually get to the university or office quickly thanks to the U-Bahn, trams and buses. This makes it possible to live cheaply in more distant districts while still being well connected.