Cost of Living in Hungary - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Hungary
Address: HU

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,294 per month with rent on average in Hungary.

A couple spends around $1,990 per month with rent on average in Hungary.

A family of three spends around $2,686 per month with rent on average in Hungary.

Across 44 cities in Hungary, monthly living costs range from $1,054 to $1,721 – a $667 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.47 Ft 3,960

$7.79 Ft 2,475

$18.70 Ft 5,940

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$58.1 Ft 18.4K

$38.72 Ft 12.3K

$96.8 Ft 30.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.52 Ft 3,025

$7.94 Ft 2,521

$11.11 Ft 3,529

Cappuccino

$2.73 Ft 866

$1.28 Ft 407

$4.33 Ft 1,376

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.82 Ft 577

$1.13 Ft 358

$2.90 Ft 921

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.43 Ft 455

$0.97 Ft 308

$2.44 Ft 776

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.84 Ft 903

$1.26 Ft 401

$4.42 Ft 1,405

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.81 Ft 894

$1.88 Ft 597

$4.69 Ft 1,491

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 Ft 398

$0.96 Ft 305

$1.55 Ft 491

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 Ft 514

$1.28 Ft 407

$2.60 Ft 827

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.49 Ft 790

$1.55 Ft 492

$3.24 Ft 1,029

Eggs

$3.64 Ft 1,156

$2.30 Ft 729

$4.59 Ft 1,459

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.94 Ft 3,475

$7.66 Ft 2,434

$19.24 Ft 6,111

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.88 Ft 2,186

$4.44 Ft 1,410

$8.89 Ft 2,822

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.43 Ft 4,900

$9.63 Ft 3,057

$19.25 Ft 6,115

Apples (1kg)

$2.14 Ft 681

$1.20 Ft 381

$2.61 Ft 828

Banana (1kg)

$2.24 Ft 711

$1.63 Ft 516

$2.92 Ft 929

Oranges (1kg)

$2.25 Ft 715

$1.25 Ft 396

$3.44 Ft 1,092

Tomato (1kg)

$3.58 Ft 1,137

$1.54 Ft 488

$4.82 Ft 1,532

Potato (1kg)

$1.12 Ft 354

$0.64 Ft 203

$1.61 Ft 512

Onion (1kg)

$1.26 Ft 402

$0.63 Ft 201

$1.89 Ft 599

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.53 Ft 486

$0.93 Ft 294

$2.26 Ft 717

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 Ft 179

$0.37 Ft 117

$0.87 Ft 275

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.11 Ft 2,575

$7.14 Ft 2,267

$9.73 Ft 3,089

Wine (Bottle)

$4.94 Ft 1,569

$2.41 Ft 765

$8.95 Ft 2,843

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.25 Ft 396

$0.93 Ft 294

$1.55 Ft 492

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.08 Ft 661

$1.24 Ft 394

$4.01 Ft 1,273

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.40 Ft 445

$1.09 Ft 346

$1.72 Ft 545

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.82 Ft 9,155

$23.38 Ft 7,425

$32.03 Ft 10.2K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.48 Ft 1,105

$2.84 Ft 903

$5.06 Ft 1,606

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 Ft 447

$1.25 Ft 397

$1.72 Ft 547

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$18.87 Ft 5,993

$17.30 Ft 5,494

$20.76 Ft 6,593

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.88 Ft 597

$1.75 Ft 556

$2.00 Ft 635

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$31.3K Ft 10.0M

$28.5K Ft 9.0M

$33.4K Ft 10.6M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$37.0K Ft 11.8M

$32.2K Ft 10.2M

$40.4K Ft 12.8M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$169 Ft 53.5K

$124 Ft 39.3K

$252 Ft 80.0K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$27.00 Ft 8,576

$15.62 Ft 4,961

$37.49 Ft 11.9K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.64 Ft 7,509

$18.50 Ft 5,875

$34.55 Ft 11.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$53.3 Ft 16.9K

$32.05 Ft 10.2K

$78.2 Ft 24.8K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.61 Ft 5,276

$10.95 Ft 3,479

$25.05 Ft 7,955

Cinema Ticket

$8.87 Ft 2,817

$6.97 Ft 2,213

$12.66 Ft 4,022

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$403 Ft 128.0K

$190 Ft 60.4K

$824 Ft 261.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.8K Ft 3.7M

$4,992 Ft 1.6M

$30.0K Ft 9.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$91.5 Ft 29.1K

$38.04 Ft 12.1K

$139 Ft 44.3K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.09 Ft 11.8K

$18.85 Ft 5,987

$62.9 Ft 20.0K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.3 Ft 31.2K

$64.8 Ft 20.6K

$133 Ft 42.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$104 Ft 33.2K

$64.1 Ft 20.4K

$144 Ft 45.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$597 Ft 189.5K

$441 Ft 139.9K

$881 Ft 279.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$476 Ft 151.1K

$315 Ft 100.0K

$692 Ft 219.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,034 Ft 328.4K

$638 Ft 202.7K

$1,787 Ft 567.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$836 Ft 265.6K

$564 Ft 179.2K

$1,451 Ft 460.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,849 Ft 1.2M

$2,252 Ft 715.3K

$6,344 Ft 2.0M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,899 Ft 920.6K

$1,771 Ft 562.5K

$4,830 Ft 1.5M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,371 Ft 435.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.23

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

Last update: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom averages $535 nationally. In Budapest, expect around $858, while Nyiregyhaza – the country's most affordable city overall – comes in at $569.

The average net salary in Hungary is $1,227 – below average monthly costs of $1,294. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $251 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $54.0.

Most affordable: Nyiregyhaza at $1,054 per month. The capital, Budapest, sits at $1,721. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $667 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($1,294) is 6% below the global median of $1,374.

Average rent ($535) is 19% below the global median of $661.

Public transport ($26.00) is 24% below the global median of $34.00.

By City in Hungary

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Ajka	26408	58	$679	$1,259	$1,693	$2,467	88.62	186.26
2	Békéscsaba	54460	54	$581	$1,163	$1,735	$2,245	89.81	242.67
3	Budaors	29398	73	$793	$1,610	$2,008	$3,156	21.47	264.69
4	Budapest	1686222	80	$874	$1,721	$2,222	$3,695	256.4	306.61
5	Csongrad	15409	63	$842	$1,353	$1,861	$2,828	25.03	165.76
6	Dabas	17542	63	$818	$1,359	$1,899	$2,656	57.56	333.86
7	Debrecen	201704	66	$772	$1,387	$1,884	$3,036	211.94	266.32
8	Dunaföldvár	8800	62	$779	$1,358	$2,098	$2,796	6.41	178.82
9	Dunakeszi	42747	63	$689	$1,375	$1,899	$2,720	64.47	301.67
10	Dunaujvaros	41394	59	$668	$1,267	$1,703	$2,587	90.45	316.33
11	Eger	49499	59	$736	$1,256	$1,646	$2,484	46.88	255.08
12	Érd	71338	55	$824	$1,178	$1,747	$2,824	161.83	296.04
13	Esztergom	28642	62	$822	$1,372	$1,988	$2,744	319.42	194.93
14	Godollo	32524	67	$793	$1,444	$2,182	$3,047	283.35	237.55
15	Gyongyos	27645	49	$609	$1,055	$1,520	$2,332	98.22	277.56
16	Gyor	130191	63	$768	$1,322	$1,952	$2,880	124.55	210.22
17	Heviz	4500	66	$930	$1,396	$2,314	$2,936	42.26	218.61
18	Hodmezovasarhely	41781	61	$657	$1,317	$2,018	$2,727	130.63	230.21
19	Kalocsa	14433	62	$840	$1,332	$2,222	$2,784	26.94	239.49
20	Kaposvár	58830	58	$729	$1,234	$1,837	$2,455	97.67	180.95
21	Kecskemet	109450	56	$640	$1,213	$1,456	$2,347	104.67	163.33
22	Kiskunfelegyhaza	28562	64	$894	$1,386	$1,967	$2,803	219.92	137.35
23	Kisvarda	14888	60	$705	$1,286	$2,071	$2,641	104.23	186.36
24	Lake Balaton	275000	51	$623	$1,119	$1,588	$2,265	139.01	115.86
25	Miskolc	143502	58	$698	$1,230	$1,770	$2,524	45.06	272.38
26	Mohacs	17200	60	$823	$1,287	$1,916	$2,614	138.09	256.14
27	Nagykanizsa	42502	52	$788	$1,120	$1,664	$2,358	119.93	220.93
28	Nyiregyhaza	115359	49	$646	$1,054	$1,830	$1,900	103.21	246.84
29	Paks	17917	55	$722	$1,214	$1,721	$2,339	205.58	251.06
30	Paszto	9500	64	$720	$1,375	$2,105	$2,871	210.35	176.12
31	Pecs	140330	65	$771	$1,406	$1,969	$2,925	36.08	267.37
32	Siofok	24021	59	$821	$1,251	$2,073	$2,847	51.33	240.86
33	Sopron	61589	65	$657	$1,368	$1,628	$2,813	80.64	247.27
34	Szeged	157930	59	$742	$1,256	$1,930	$2,756	44.79	228.16
35	Szekesfehervar	96024	53	$779	$1,126	$1,784	$2,620	87.08	302.15
36	Szekszard	29707	57	$766	$1,226	$1,746	$2,570	88.51	245.29
37	Szentendre	28444	70	$682	$1,485	$2,087	$2,857	96.98	255.22
38	Szolnok	66426	53	$682	$1,154	$1,706	$2,393	34.31	302.32
39	Szombathely	77757	60	$832	$1,266	$2,137	$2,829	22.07	227.02
40	Tamási	8000	55	$703	$1,207	$1,876	$2,534	38.7	217.97
41	Tatabanya	65861	59	$667	$1,297	$1,867	$2,656	26.59	299.51
42	Vac	34001	63	$698	$1,348	$2,376	$3,291	166.29	233.74
43	Veszprem	56029	64	$840	$1,368	$1,688	$2,771	123.38	210.32
44	Zalaegerszeg	55152	52	$655	$1,116	$2,022	$2,277	159.3	230.5

Hungary Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Hungary - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with many Western European hubs, Hungary offers a compelling mix of culture, safety, and value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. In cities like Budapest and beyond, amenities come at a gentler price point, while infrastructure – public transit, healthcare access, and coworking scenes – supports longer stays. The Cost of Living in Hungary tends to be friendlier for those balancing rent, food, and experiences, with seasonal peaks that invite smart planning. Culture, cafes, and outdoor life blend to create a rich daily rhythm without breaking the budget. Tip: Start with a short-term stay in a diverse district to test daily life before committing long-term.

From the housing hunt to groceries and transit, daily life varies by city and neighborhood in Hungary. In Budapest, you may find a wide range of rental options, easy access to supermarkets, and plentiful coworking spaces; in smaller towns, costs and pace drop but amenities may be fewer. The Hungary living cost tends to reflect location, with transit passes and utility bills that are manageable relative to income in many cases. Practical tips: search with lease flexibility, check proximity to metro lines, and sample local markets for meals. Tip: Start with short-term stays near public transport to gauge routines before committing long-term.

To balance life and costs, use a practical budgeting framework like a simple monthly plan: essentials, flexible spending, and savings. In Hungary, neighborhoods near transit hubs, universities, or business districts offer shorter commutes and easier access to services, while outer areas may offer roomier housing at lower rents. Embrace seasonal patterns: outdoor markets and summer events can be cheaper and livelier, while winter costs shift toward heating and indoor activities. Tip: compare neighborhoods by a trial residency, track monthly costs for a couple of weeks, and prioritize amenities you actually use.

Hungary falls in the middle globally – not a bargain destination, not an expensive one. Costs vary a lot by region, which means it works for a wide range of incomes and lifestyles depending on where you settle.

In 2026, monthly costs in Hungary range from $1,054 in smaller cities to $1,721 in major hubs. Where you choose to live makes a dramatic difference – the gap between cheapest and most expensive cities is huge.

Rent in Hungary varies a lot – Budapest has the highest prices, and the gap between capital and provincial rents can be 50% or more. Choosing which city to live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make.

In regional cities, $1,000 is plenty. In Budapest? You'll need to plan carefully, especially around housing. Shared apartments or outer neighborhoods are the usual workarounds.

Hungary is mid-range globally, with more affordable cities starting around $1,054 per month. Not the cheapest option out there, but far from the most expensive – a reasonable balance of cost and quality of life.