Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Budapest and Manchester, NH

For one person, living is cheaper in Budapest: $1,619 a month against $2,859 in Manchester, NH, rent and utilities included – about $14,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Budapest
🇭🇺 Hungary
$1,619
/mo nomad
Manchester, NH
🇺🇸 United States
$2,859
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Budapest and in Manchester, NH

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Budapest and in Manchester, NH actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,619 per month in Budapest vs $2,859 in Manchester, NH, rent included.

  • Budapest $1,619
  • Manchester, NH $2,859

A couple spends around $2,524 per month in Budapest vs $4,150 in Manchester, NH, rent included.

  • Budapest $2,524
  • Manchester, NH $4,150

A family of three spends $3,429 per month in Budapest vs $5,440 in Manchester, NH, rent included.

  • Budapest $3,429
  • Manchester, NH $5,440

Budapest is about 43% cheaper than Manchester, NH, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Budapest and Manchester, NH sit above the global median – Budapest by 20%, Manchester, NH by 112%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Budapest
Manchester, NH
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.94 Ft 4,503
$26.99 $26.99
-48.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.2 Ft 19.8K
$79.7 $79.7
-23.23%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.19 Ft 3,291
$10.81 $10.81
-5.74%
Cappuccino
$3.26 Ft 1,055
$5.50 $5.50
-40.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 Ft 690
$2.45 $2.45
-12.65%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78 Ft 577
$1.99 $1.99
-10.55%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.71 Ft 1,198
$5.85 $5.85
-36.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.77 Ft 1,217
$6.81 $6.81
-44.64%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Budapest
Manchester, NH
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.15 Ft 371
$1.01 $1.01
13.86%
White Bread (500g)
$1.79 Ft 578
$2.88 $2.88
-37.85%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.49 Ft 804
$4.70 $4.70
-47.02%
Eggs
$3.90 Ft 1,261
$4.82 $4.82
-19.09%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.10 Ft 3,587
$9.96 $9.96
11.45%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.62 Ft 2,139
$10.95 $10.95
-39.54%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.69 Ft 4,745
$19.83 $19.83
-25.92%
Apples (1kg)
$1.83 Ft 591
$5.83 $5.83
-68.61%
Banana (1kg)
$2.05 Ft 661
$2.39 $2.39
-14.23%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.37 Ft 765
$4.47 $4.47
-46.98%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.90 Ft 1,260
$5.99 $5.99
-34.89%
Potato (1kg)
$0.99 Ft 320
$2.45 $2.45
-59.59%
Onion (1kg)
$1.00 Ft 322
$3.20 $3.20
-68.75%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.58 Ft 511
$2.10 $2.10
-24.76%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.67 Ft 216
$2.31 $2.31
-71.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.96 Ft 2,572
$10.06 $10.06
-20.87%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.22 Ft 2,009
$14.88 $14.88
-58.20%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.27 Ft 411
$1.86 $1.86
-31.72%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 Ft 654
$4.99 $4.99
-59.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Budapest
Manchester, NH
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.52 Ft 490
$1.97 $1.97
-22.84%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$28.02 Ft 9,053
$61.1 $61.1
-54.12%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.31 Ft 1,070
$3.13 $3.13
5.75%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.37 Ft 442
$1.82 $1.82
-24.73%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$19.83 Ft 6,406
$30.37 $30.37
-34.71%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.82 Ft 589
$0.94 $0.94
93.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8K Ft 9.6M
$34.1K $34.1K
-12.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.8K Ft 10.9M
$27.9K $27.9K
21.17%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Budapest
Manchester, NH
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$171 Ft 55.3K
$235 $235
-27.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.51 Ft 7,596
$63.1 $63.1
-62.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.29 Ft 7,526
$70.4 $70.4
-66.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Budapest
Manchester, NH
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$67.5 Ft 21.8K
$42.30 $42.30
59.65%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.89 Ft 6,104
$40.65 $40.65
-53.53%
Cinema Ticket
$9.30 Ft 3,004
$11.61 $11.61
-19.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Budapest
Manchester, NH
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$533 Ft 172.3K
$1,465 $1,465
-63.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.8K Ft 5.4M
$23.0K $23.0K
-27.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Budapest
Manchester, NH
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$99.6 Ft 32.2K
$43.50 $43.50
128.99%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.49 Ft 14.0K
$44.13 $44.13
-1.45%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$110 Ft 35.7K
$91.0 $91.0
21.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 Ft 38.4K
$113 $113
4.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Budapest
Manchester, NH
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$830 Ft 268.3K
$1,689 $1,689
-50.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$622 Ft 200.9K
$1,426 $1,426
-56.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,594 Ft 514.9K
$2,500 $2,500
-36.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 Ft 378.1K
$2,257 $2,257
-48.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,832 Ft 1.9M
$2,904 $2,904
100.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,889 Ft 1.3M
$3,015 $3,015
29.00%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Budapest
Manchester, NH
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,651 Ft 533.4K
$4,186 $4,186
-60.55%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.21
3.86%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Budapest: October 13, 2026

Last update for Manchester, NH: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Budapest
$622
Manchester, NH
$1.4K 129% $804
Groceries & Markets
Budapest
$258
Manchester, NH
$411 59.4% $153
Eating Out
Budapest
$223
Manchester, NH
$375 68.2% $152
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Budapest
$218
Manchester, NH
$369 69.2% $151
Clothing & Footwear
Budapest
$168
Manchester, NH
$131 21.6% $36
Sport & Entertainment
Budapest
$86
Manchester, NH
$66 23.9% $21
Getting Around
Budapest
$44
Manchester, NH
$81 83.5% $37

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $830 in Budapest versus $1,689 in Manchester, NH. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 154% higher in Manchester, NH, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $61.0 in Budapest versus $80.0 in Manchester, NH. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $258 vs $411 – making Budapest the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇭🇺 Budapest
🇺🇸 Manchester, NH
🕒 Local time
04:35 4:35 AM
22:35 10:35 PM
6 h behind Budapest
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,686,222 Capital
109,497
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to HUF – Hungarian Forint Converter

Hungarian Forint exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 323 HUF (1,000 HUF = 3.1 USD). 1 EUR = 363 HUF (1,000 HUF = 2.75 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Budapest Manchester, NH 6,680 km ≈ 9 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Budapest
  • Manchester, NH

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Budapest vs Manchester, NH: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manchester, NH cheaper than Budapest?
Yes – Manchester, NH is pricier by about 77%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,428 per month in Budapest and $4,289 in Manchester, NH. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Budapest, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 118% less in Budapest. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $533 per month in Budapest and $1,465 in Manchester, NH. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Budapest or in Manchester, NH?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Budapest, where all-in costs run around $1,619, than in Manchester, NH at $2,859. In Budapest it covers expenses comfortably, while in Manchester, NH it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Budapest or Manchester, NH more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Budapest – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Budapest or Manchester, NH?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Budapest. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Manchester, NH makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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