🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,141 in Szekesfehervar versus $1,484 in Bielsko-biala.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,854 in Szekesfehervar versus $2,178 in Bielsko-biala.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,567 in Szekesfehervar versus $2,872 in Bielsko-biala.
🌍Living in Szekesfehervar costs roughly 23% less than in Bielsko-biala, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Szekesfehervar is 17% below, Bielsko-biala is 8% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.05Ft 3,197
$10.29zł 39.15
-2.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.7Ft 20.0K
$48.65zł 185
28.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.75Ft 2,783
$9.12zł 34.69
-4.06%
Cappuccino
$2.28Ft 726
$3.78zł 14.38
-39.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.44Ft 458
$2.30zł 8.76
-37.39%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09Ft 348
$1.43zł 5.43
-23.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.09Ft 665
$4.08zł 15.50
-48.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42Ft 770
$3.91zł 14.89
-38.11%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18Ft 374
$1.05zł 4.01
12.38%
White Bread(500g)
$1.48Ft 471
$1.14zł 4.35
29.82%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.69Ft 854
$1.41zł 5.35
90.78%
Eggs
$3.61Ft 1,147
$3.02zł 11.47
19.54%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.05Ft 3,197
$8.90zł 33.84
12.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.51Ft 2,070
$6.02zł 22.90
8.14%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.27Ft 5,174
$10.22zł 38.87
59.20%
Apples(1kg)
$2.11Ft 672
$1.18zł 4.47
78.81%
Banana(1kg)
$2.24Ft 714
$1.68zł 6.39
33.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.03Ft 647
$2.21zł 8.41
-8.14%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.15Ft 1,001
$2.03zł 7.73
55.17%
Potato(1kg)
$1.08Ft 343
$0.89zł 3.39
21.35%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18Ft 375
$0.82zł 3.13
43.90%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.55Ft 494
$1.05zł 3.99
47.62%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49Ft 156
$0.61zł 2.34
-19.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.70Ft 2,132
$5.18zł 19.70
29.34%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.13Ft 994
$6.75zł 25.66
-53.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.30Ft 413
$1.16zł 4.40
12.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11Ft 672
$1.76zł 6.70
19.89%
🚌 Getting Around
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.28Ft 406
$1.35zł 5.12
-5.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$27.52Ft 8,753
$36.93zł 140
-25.48%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.16Ft 1,005
$1.63zł 6.20
93.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.70Ft 540
$0.60zł 2.29
183.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.98Ft 6,039
$9.61zł 36.53
97.50%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.89Ft 602
$1.63zł 6.19
15.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.0KFt 8.9M
$31.9Kzł 121.1K
-12.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.1KFt 9.9M
$27.2Kzł 103.5K
14.19%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$131Ft 41.5K
$307zł 1,166
-57.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.57Ft 9,088
$8.78zł 33.40
225.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.92Ft 6,337
$18.29zł 69.5
8.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.27Ft 15.0K
$42.21zł 161
11.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$46.19zł 176
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.72Ft 2,773
$7.46zł 28.37
16.89%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$257Ft 81.9K
$303zł 1,154
-15.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,989Ft 2.2M
$2,633zł 10.0K
165.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.1Ft 22.3K
$78.0zł 297
-10.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.20Ft 8,017
$41.25zł 157
-38.91%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.2Ft 24.9K
$93.1zł 354
-16.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.3Ft 27.5K
$101zł 383
-14.27%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$403Ft 128.2K
$631zł 2,400
-36.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$314Ft 100.0K
$530zł 2,017
-40.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$640Ft 203.5K
$1,043zł 3,965
-38.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$674Ft 214.5K
$884zł 3,362
-23.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,505Ft 1.1M
$2,524zł 9,597
38.88%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,191Ft 1.0M
$2,067zł 7,861
54.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,519Ft 483.2K
$1,468zł 5,583
3.45%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.67
6.87
-2.91%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Szekesfehervar: September 13, 2026
Last update for Bielsko-biala: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $403 in Szekesfehervar and $631 in Bielsko-biala. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Szekesfehervar pays 3% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $63.0 in Szekesfehervar vs $49.00 in Bielsko-biala for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $246 vs $201 per month, with Bielsko-biala cheaper across the board.
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
Szekesfehervar vs Bielsko-biala: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Szekesfehervar and in Bielsko-biala?
Szekesfehervar and Bielsko-biala differ by about 30% in total monthly costs ($1,141 vs $1,484 including rent). Szekesfehervar is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Szekesfehervar or Bielsko-biala?
Average pay runs 3% higher in Szekesfehervar, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Szekesfehervar and in Bielsko-biala?
Rent for a central apartment: $403 in Szekesfehervar versus $631 in Bielsko-biala. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Szekesfehervar and in Bielsko-biala?
A monthly transit pass in Szekesfehervar runs roughly 34% less than in Bielsko-biala. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Szekesfehervar and Bielsko-biala?
Childcare runs $257 in Szekesfehervar versus $303 in Bielsko-biala. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,141 in Szekesfehervar versus $1,484 in Bielsko-biala, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Szekesfehervar but tight or insufficient in Bielsko-biala. The gap between the two cities makes Szekesfehervar the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Szekesfehervar and Bielsko-biala?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Szekesfehervar or Bielsko-biala safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Szekesfehervar and Bielsko-biala are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Szekesfehervar or Bielsko-biala?
Expats usually find Szekesfehervar gentler on the wallet – expenses run 30% less than in Bielsko-biala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Szekesfehervar vs other spots: cost of living compared