Ah yes, this is exactly why I'm not in Vienna. Software developers are curiously underpaid in Austria. I got offered a better salary even in Brno (Brünn), which is a much cheaper place.

A pity, Vienna is a beautiful city and consistently ranks among the best places to live.

I mean its pretty strange in Austria, In smaller cities "Graz, Linz" where rent could be as low as 50% lower than Vienna, you'd get pretty much the same salary.

Depends on your field. You can make insane money as an overpriced contractor in Vienna financial sector that you'd never dream about in Graz.

I often hear about how Vienna is a public housing paradise. (ie, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vienna-affordable-housing-par..., https://www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr_edge_featd_articl...)

Is it the market-rate units that cost 40-50% of your salary?

Yes public housing is great In Austria in general, you'd just need to fulfill some requirements to be eligible for it, one of which you need to be a resident of the city for 7+ years.

Here in Germany it's also like 50-60+% of income for housing (1 room apartment) if u start out as dev