Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Budapest and Newport News, VA

For one person, living is cheaper in Budapest: $1,619 a month against $2,738 in Newport News, VA, rent and utilities included – about $13,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Budapest
🇭🇺 Hungary
$1,619
/mo nomad
Newport News, VA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,738
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Budapest and in Newport News, VA

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 Newport News, VA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,619 per month in Budapest vs $2,738 in Newport News, VA, rent included.

  • Budapest $1,619
  • Newport News, VA $2,738

A couple spends around $2,524 per month in Budapest vs $3,798 in Newport News, VA, rent included.

  • Budapest $2,524
  • Newport News, VA $3,798

A family of three spends $3,429 per month in Budapest vs $4,858 in Newport News, VA, rent included.

  • Budapest $3,429
  • Newport News, VA $4,858

Budapest is about 41% cheaper than Newport News, VA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Budapest and Newport News, VA sit above the global median – Budapest by 20%, Newport News, VA by 103%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Budapest
Newport News, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.94 Ft 4,503
$28.29 $28.29
-50.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.2 Ft 19.8K
$60.8 $60.8
0.72%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.19 Ft 3,291
$10.44 $10.44
-2.39%
Cappuccino
$3.26 Ft 1,055
$6.17 $6.17
-47.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 Ft 690
$2.61 $2.61
-18.01%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78 Ft 577
$2.05 $2.05
-13.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.71 Ft 1,198
$7.88 $7.88
-52.92%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.77 Ft 1,217
$7.77 $7.77
-51.48%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Budapest
Newport News, VA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.15 Ft 371
$0.95 $0.95
21.05%
White Bread (500g)
$1.79 Ft 578
$3.53 $3.53
-49.29%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.49 Ft 804
$3.36 $3.36
-25.89%
Eggs
$3.90 Ft 1,261
$2.86 $2.86
36.36%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.10 Ft 3,587
$7.51 $7.51
47.80%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.62 Ft 2,139
$11.13 $11.13
-40.52%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.69 Ft 4,745
$18.66 $18.66
-21.28%
Apples (1kg)
$1.83 Ft 591
$6.95 $6.95
-73.67%
Banana (1kg)
$2.05 Ft 661
$1.04 $1.04
97.12%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.37 Ft 765
$4.94 $4.94
-52.02%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.90 Ft 1,260
$4.05 $4.05
-3.70%
Potato (1kg)
$0.99 Ft 320
$2.66 $2.66
-62.78%
Onion (1kg)
$1.00 Ft 322
$3.13 $3.13
-68.05%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.58 Ft 511
$2.02 $2.02
-21.78%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.67 Ft 216
$2.68 $2.68
-75.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.96 Ft 2,572
$7.74 $7.74
2.84%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.22 Ft 2,009
$16.06 $16.06
-61.27%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.27 Ft 411
$1.76 $1.76
-27.84%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 Ft 654
$5.60 $5.60
-63.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Budapest
Newport News, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.52 Ft 490
$2.91 $2.91
-47.77%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$28.02 Ft 9,053
$40.13 $40.13
-30.18%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.31 Ft 1,070
$3.90 $3.90
-15.13%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.37 Ft 442
$1.32 $1.32
3.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$19.83 Ft 6,406
$25.22 $25.22
-21.37%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.82 Ft 589
$0.98 $0.98
85.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8K Ft 9.6M
$37.0K $37.0K
-19.45%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.8K Ft 10.9M
$26.3K $26.3K
28.53%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Budapest
Newport News, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$171 Ft 55.3K
$209 $209
-18.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.51 Ft 7,596
$79.9 $79.9
-70.58%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.29 Ft 7,526
$78.8 $78.8
-70.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Budapest
Newport News, VA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$67.5 Ft 21.8K
$39.56 $39.56
70.70%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.89 Ft 6,104
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.30 Ft 3,004
$13.31 $13.31
-30.13%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Budapest
Newport News, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$533 Ft 172.3K
$3,164 $3,164
-83.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.8K Ft 5.4M
$40.7K $40.7K
-58.86%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Budapest
Newport News, VA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$99.6 Ft 32.2K
$54.1 $54.1
83.99%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.49 Ft 14.0K
$44.64 $44.64
-2.58%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$110 Ft 35.7K
$103 $103
7.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 Ft 38.4K
$124 $124
-3.78%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Budapest
Newport News, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$830 Ft 268.3K
$1,407 $1,407
-40.97%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$622 Ft 200.9K
$1,299 $1,299
-52.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,594 Ft 514.9K
$2,324 $2,324
-31.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 Ft 378.1K
$1,792 $1,792
-34.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,832 Ft 1.9M
$2,245 $2,245
159.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,889 Ft 1.3M
$2,236 $2,236
73.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Budapest
Newport News, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,651 Ft 533.4K
$3,938 $3,938
-58.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.54
-1.38%

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

Last update for Budapest: October 13, 2026

Last update for Newport News, VA: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Budapest
$622
Newport News, VA
$1.3K 109% $677
Groceries & Markets
Budapest
$258
Newport News, VA
$391 51.7% $133
Eating Out
Budapest
$223
Newport News, VA
$405 81.7% $182
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Budapest
$218
Newport News, VA
$368 68.8% $150
Clothing & Footwear
Budapest
$168
Newport News, VA
$146 12.7% $21
Sport & Entertainment
Budapest
$86
Newport News, VA
$66 23.2% $20
Getting Around
Budapest
$44
Newport News, VA
$62 40.8% $18

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $830 in Budapest versus $1,407 in Newport News, VA. 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 138% higher in Newport News, VA, 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 $61.0 in Newport News, VA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $258 vs $391 – making Budapest the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇭🇺 Budapest
🇺🇸 Newport News, VA
🕒 Local time
19:54 7:54 PM
13:54 1:54 PM
6 h behind Budapest
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,686,222 Capital
186,247
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 Newport News, VA 7,440 km ≈ 10 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Budapest
  • Newport News, VA

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 Newport News, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Newport News, VA cheaper than Budapest?
Yes – Newport News, VA is pricier by about 69%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,428 per month in Budapest and $4,108 in Newport News, VA. 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 43% 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 $3,164 in Newport News, VA. 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 Newport News, VA?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Budapest, where all-in costs run around $1,619, than in Newport News, VA at $2,738. In Budapest it covers expenses comfortably, while in Newport News, VA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Budapest or Newport News, VA 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 Newport News, VA?
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, Newport News, VA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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