🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,002 in Szekesfehervar versus $1,431 in Bielsko-biala.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,627 in Szekesfehervar versus $2,140 in Bielsko-biala.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,251 in Szekesfehervar versus $2,848 in Bielsko-biala.
🙂Living in Szekesfehervar costs roughly 30% less than in Bielsko-biala, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Szekesfehervar is 25% below, Bielsko-biala is 7% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.27Ft 3,518
$10.05zł 36.58
12.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.3Ft 18.2K
$47.06zł 171
23.86%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.22Ft 2,877
$8.04zł 29.28
14.68%
Cappuccino
$1.99Ft 620
$3.39zł 12.34
-41.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33Ft 414
$0.97zł 3.52
37.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.95Ft 297
$1.19zł 4.32
-20.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.83Ft 571
$3.18zł 11.58
-42.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.43Ft 759
$3.69zł 13.44
-34.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.11Ft 346
$1.03zł 3.76
7.77%
White Bread(500g)
$1.65Ft 515
$1.22zł 4.46
35.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.21Ft 689
$1.21zł 4.42
82.64%
Eggs
$2.72Ft 848
$3.12zł 11.35
-12.82%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.80Ft 2,434
$8.48zł 30.87
-8.02%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.83Ft 1,820
$6.87zł 25.01
-15.14%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.54Ft 4,537
$10.71zł 38.99
35.76%
Apples(1kg)
$1.86Ft 579
$1.15zł 4.20
61.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.79Ft 558
$1.74zł 6.32
2.87%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94Ft 606
$1.99zł 7.26
-2.51%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.79Ft 870
$2.72zł 9.91
2.57%
Potato(1kg)
$1.06Ft 332
$0.94zł 3.43
12.77%
Onion(1kg)
$1.15Ft 360
$0.83zł 3.03
38.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.43Ft 447
$1.10zł 4.01
30.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44Ft 136
$0.56zł 2.03
-21.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.30Ft 1,967
$4.52zł 16.47
39.38%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.19Ft 997
$7.22zł 26.29
-55.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.93Ft 291
$1.21zł 4.42
-23.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41Ft 439
$1.96zł 7.14
-28.06%
🚌 Getting Around
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18Ft 367
$1.18zł 4.29
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$25.23Ft 7,871
$30.31zł 110
-16.76%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.78Ft 867
$1.53zł 5.56
81.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.18Ft 368
$0.49zł 1.78
140.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.61Ft 5,494
$10.09zł 36.74
74.53%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.68Ft 524
$1.68zł 6.13
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.9KFt 8.1M
$33.6Kzł 122.4K
-23.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.4KFt 7.9M
$29.7Kzł 108.3K
-14.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$106Ft 33.1K
$332zł 1,208
-68.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.31Ft 7,897
$8.35zł 30.38
203.11%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.43Ft 5,750
$16.59zł 60.4
11.09%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.09Ft 14.4K
$31.47zł 115
46.46%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.61Ft 5,182
$16.39zł 59.7
1.34%
Cinema Ticket
$6.71Ft 2,094
$6.85zł 24.95
-2.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$218Ft 67.9K
$272zł 989
-19.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,263Ft 2.0M
$2,685zł 9,773
133.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.6Ft 20.5K
$92.8zł 338
-29.24%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.67Ft 7,075
$31.47zł 115
-27.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.9Ft 22.7K
$75.6zł 275
-3.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.6Ft 24.5K
$94.6zł 344
-16.97%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$369Ft 115.0K
$723zł 2,631
-48.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$292Ft 91.2K
$495zł 1,803
-41.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$596Ft 186.1K
$2,241zł 8,156
-73.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$528Ft 164.6K
$957zł 3,482
-44.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,546Ft 1.1M
$2,495zł 9,080
42.17%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,277Ft 1.0M
$2,162zł 7,869
51.57%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Szekesfehervar
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,559Ft 486.6K
$1,427zł 5,193
9.31%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.85
6.3
-7.14%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Szekesfehervar: April 27, 2026
Last update for Bielsko-biala: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $369 in Szekesfehervar and $723 in Bielsko-biala. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Szekesfehervar pays 9% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $58.0 in Szekesfehervar vs $47.00 in Bielsko-biala for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $216 vs $210 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 Bielsko-biala?
Szekesfehervar and Bielsko-biala differ by about 43% in total monthly costs ($1,002 vs $1,431 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?
Szekesfehervar pays 9% more on average, 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 Bielsko-biala?
Rent for a central apartment: $369 in Szekesfehervar versus $723 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 Bielsko-biala?
A monthly transit pass in Szekesfehervar runs roughly 20% 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 $218 in Szekesfehervar versus $272 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 $1,002 in Szekesfehervar versus $1,431 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 43% 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