● 86 percent see sustainable living than at least something important
● Specifically relevant: low operating costs (61 percent), renewable heating systems (54 percent) and a healthy indoor climate for the feel -good effect (46 percent)
● Only 13 percent would be ready for additional expenses
The desire for a greener life is there: A large majority of the Austrians (86 percent) states that an environmentally friendly living environment is at least a bit of their heart. But when it comes to concrete decisions when living, the good intention quickly falter – this is shown by a current survey by Immowelt.at.
Only every fifth (20 percent) rates sustainability when living as “very important”. For many, she remains more likely to be a likeable companion in mind than a real decision -making scale.
“The study shows that environmental awareness among many Austrians is fundamentally present when living,” says Dr. Robert Wagner, managing director of Immowelt. “However, many hope for financial advantages, for example cheaper operating costs. When it comes to concrete additional costs, most are rather reserved.”
Land, city, house or apartment – environmental awareness remains similar
Whether in the country or in the city, in your own house or in your apartment block: the differences in the evaluation of sustainable living criteria are low. Awareness is most pronounced among homeowners (22 percent) and people in rural regions (21 percent). But overall, it turns out: the attitude towards sustainability is widely scattered, but not particularly deeply anchored.
What really matters: everyday sustainability
Sustainable living solutions that are noticeable directly in the wallet are particularly in demand: 61 percent of those surveyed consider low operating costs as an important factor, 54 percent want modern heating systems based on renewable energies, and 46 percent value a healthy space atmosphere. In contrast, the focus is less on the focus of abstract aspects such as the recyclability of building materials (14 percent) or the flexible usability of the living space – for example through changeable floor plans, multiple use or later adjustments for age -appropriate living (19 percent).
However, as soon as concrete additional costs come into play, the willingness is decreasing – only 13 percent would be “definitely” willing to pay more for climate -friendly living. Sustainability often remains a good resolution, but rarely a leading criterion.
Change of change affects priorities
The relevance of sustainability also varies for a move depending on the planned period. While 58 percent of those surveyed indicate without moving plans that sustainability plays a role in choosing housing, they are only 44 percent with medium -term intentions (4–5 years). In the case of short -term moving plans (within 2–3 years), the proportion is still 51 percent. This suggests that people tend to live in an apartment that meets their sustainable requirements or that they have not yet dealt sufficiently with the expected additional costs.
A possible reason for the discrepancy between the desire for sustainable living and the at the same time weakly pronounced willingness to invest money, the so-called “Attitude-Bebezia-Gap”-the gap between sustainable intentions and actual behavior could be. This contradiction is also evident in other areas of life: According to a current study by the trade network trade, 41 percent of Austrians indicate that sustainability affects their consumption behavior, for example when shopping, but only 28 percent are willing to do without prosperity. When living – the greatest financial decision in life – this pattern increases even more (1).
The representative study “Is living in Austria still affordable?” was carried out by Immowelt.at in May 2025 and comprised 1,000 persons from the age of 16 throughout Austria.
About Immowelt
The Immobilien portal Immowelt.at is one of the leading online marketplaces for rental and buying properties in Austria. The platform has successfully brought together owners, real estate professionals and searchers for over 10 years. The Immowelt Mission is to digitize all the steps of real estate transaction in the future in order to make it as easily and easily as possible for everyone involved. Immowelt supports the uncomplicated search for a rental apartment with data -supported services, the effective marketing of a property and tailor -made financing of your own four walls. Thanks to decades of experience and broad real estate know how, Immowelt creates the perfect sense of achievement for tenants and landlords, real estate professionals, real estate owners and buyers. Immowelt.at is operated by AVIV Germany GmbH, which belongs to the AVIV Group, one of the world’s largest digital real estate companies.