Last update: Oct 2026 9.6M

Cost of Living in Hungary

Name: Hungary
Address: HU

Across Hungary, living costs for one person average $1,361 a month, including rent and utilities, which take just under half of the total. Other living expenses average about $24 a day.

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🇭🇺 Hungary

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Hungary

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

A single person spends around $1,361 per month with rent on average in Hungary.

$1,361 /mo

A couple spends around $2,095 per month with rent on average in Hungary.

$2,095 /mo

A family of three spends around $2,830 per month with rent on average in Hungary.

$2,830 /mo

Across 44 cities in Hungary, monthly living costs range from $1,015 to $1,638 – a $623 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.28 Ft 4,049

$7.68 Ft 2,532

$18.43 Ft 6,075

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.8 Ft 17.8K

$35.90 Ft 11.8K

$89.7 Ft 29.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.31 Ft 3,070

$7.76 Ft 2,559

$11.18 Ft 3,685

Cappuccino

$2.57 Ft 848

$1.19 Ft 392

$4.15 Ft 1,368

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

$1.76 Ft 581

$1.08 Ft 357

$2.77 Ft 915

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.38 Ft 453

$0.93 Ft 308

$2.19 Ft 721

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.73 Ft 899

$1.21 Ft 401

$4.55 Ft 1,500

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.67 Ft 880

$1.78 Ft 588

$4.45 Ft 1,468

Milk (1 liter)

$1.21 Ft 397

$0.93 Ft 306

$1.49 Ft 492

White Bread (500g)

$1.56 Ft 515

$1.24 Ft 410

$2.50 Ft 823

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.29 Ft 754

$1.40 Ft 463

$2.99 Ft 984

Eggs

$3.50 Ft 1,152

$2.21 Ft 727

$4.41 Ft 1,455

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.50 Ft 3,461

$7.11 Ft 2,343

$18.54 Ft 6,111

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.44 Ft 2,124

$4.16 Ft 1,371

$8.91 Ft 2,938

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.32 Ft 4,722

$8.96 Ft 2,955

$17.92 Ft 5,909

Apples (1kg)

$2.01 Ft 663

$1.09 Ft 360

$2.48 Ft 817

Banana (1kg)

$2.12 Ft 698

$1.51 Ft 498

$2.78 Ft 915

Oranges (1kg)

$2.13 Ft 702

$1.19 Ft 393

$3.27 Ft 1,079

Tomato (1kg)

$3.36 Ft 1,109

$1.45 Ft 479

$4.85 Ft 1,598

Potato (1kg)

$1.04 Ft 344

$0.59 Ft 195

$1.50 Ft 494

Onion (1kg)

$1.18 Ft 390

$0.59 Ft 195

$1.78 Ft 586

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.50 Ft 493

$0.90 Ft 297

$2.11 Ft 696

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 Ft 193

$0.36 Ft 117

$0.95 Ft 314

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.74 Ft 2,553

$6.82 Ft 2,248

$9.29 Ft 3,063

Wine (Bottle)

$5.11 Ft 1,683

$2.34 Ft 772

$9.02 Ft 2,972

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.20 Ft 395

$0.89 Ft 292

$1.48 Ft 488

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.93 Ft 635

$1.16 Ft 383

$3.77 Ft 1,244

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.39 Ft 458

$1.04 Ft 343

$1.62 Ft 535

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$26.94 Ft 8,883

$22.46 Ft 7,404

$29.93 Ft 9,869

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.42 Ft 1,127

$2.80 Ft 922

$4.97 Ft 1,638

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.39 Ft 457

$1.24 Ft 407

$1.69 Ft 558

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$18.45 Ft 6,082

$16.91 Ft 5,576

$22.14 Ft 7,298

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.89 Ft 623

$1.74 Ft 573

$1.98 Ft 654

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

$27.7K Ft 9.1M

$27.6K Ft 9.1M

$32.4K Ft 10.7M

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

$34.3K Ft 11.3M

$30.2K Ft 10.0M

$37.8K Ft 12.5M

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

$160 Ft 52.7K

$118 Ft 39.0K

$236 Ft 77.8K

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

$25.56 Ft 8,428

$15.01 Ft 4,949

$36.02 Ft 11.9K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.47 Ft 7,409

$17.09 Ft 5,633

$32.97 Ft 10.9K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$53.1 Ft 17.5K

$32.84 Ft 10.8K

$74.6 Ft 24.6K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.16 Ft 5,326

$10.44 Ft 3,442

$23.87 Ft 7,870

Cinema Ticket

$8.74 Ft 2,881

$6.58 Ft 2,171

$10.47 Ft 3,451

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

$399 Ft 131.4K

$181 Ft 59.6K

$904 Ft 297.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.0K Ft 3.6M

$4,809 Ft 1.6M

$28.4K Ft 9.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$87.0 Ft 28.7K

$36.63 Ft 12.1K

$123 Ft 40.6K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.59 Ft 11.7K

$18.17 Ft 5,990

$60.6 Ft 20.0K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.8 Ft 30.9K

$61.7 Ft 20.3K

$126 Ft 41.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$97.2 Ft 32.1K

$59.9 Ft 19.8K

$135 Ft 44.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$598 Ft 197.1K

$426 Ft 140.6K

$914 Ft 301.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$466 Ft 153.6K

$308 Ft 101.4K

$677 Ft 223.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,040 Ft 342.8K

$609 Ft 200.9K

$1,706 Ft 562.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$809 Ft 266.7K

$538 Ft 177.3K

$1,285 Ft 423.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,668 Ft 1.2M

$2,288 Ft 754.4K

$6,143 Ft 2.0M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,683 Ft 884.7K

$1,676 Ft 552.6K

$4,572 Ft 1.5M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,290 Ft 425.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.15

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

Last update: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Hungary $1,361

Accommodation & Living

$466 34.2%

Groceries & Markets

$244 17.9%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$208 15.3%

Eating Out

$189 13.9%

Clothing & Footwear

$141 10.4%

Sport & Entertainment

$71 5.2%

Getting Around

$43 3.2%

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom averages $511 nationally. In Budapest, expect around $836, while Gyongyos – the country’s most affordable city overall – comes in at $416.

The average net salary in Hungary is $1,184 – below average monthly costs of $1,361. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $241 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $52.

Most affordable: Gyongyos at $1,015 per month. The capital, Budapest, sits at $1,638. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $623 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Average rent ($511) is 23% below the global median of $661.

Public transport ($26) is 21% below the global median of $33.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

02:43 2:43 AM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

9,599,744

💱 Currency

Hungarian Forint HUF Ft

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 HUF = 3.03 USD

1,000 HUF = 2.72 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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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 $1,015 in the most affordable city to $1,638 in the most expensive one. 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 other cities are usually cheaper. Choosing which city to live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make.

Hungary is mid-range globally, with more affordable cities starting around $1,015 per month. Not the cheapest option out there, but far from the most expensive – a reasonable balance of cost and quality of life.