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 4,034

$7.68 Ft 2,523

$18.43 Ft 6,053

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.8 Ft 17.7K

$35.90 Ft 11.8K

$89.7 Ft 29.5K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.31 Ft 3,059

$7.76 Ft 2,549

$11.18 Ft 3,672

Cappuccino

$2.57 Ft 845

$1.19 Ft 390

$4.15 Ft 1,363

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

$1.76 Ft 579

$1.08 Ft 356

$2.77 Ft 911

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.38 Ft 452

$0.93 Ft 307

$2.19 Ft 718

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.73 Ft 896

$1.21 Ft 399

$4.55 Ft 1,495

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.67 Ft 877

$1.78 Ft 586

$4.45 Ft 1,462

Milk (1 liter)

$1.21 Ft 396

$0.93 Ft 305

$1.49 Ft 490

White Bread (500g)

$1.56 Ft 513

$1.24 Ft 408

$2.50 Ft 820

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.29 Ft 752

$1.40 Ft 461

$2.99 Ft 981

Eggs

$3.50 Ft 1,148

$2.21 Ft 725

$4.41 Ft 1,449

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.50 Ft 3,448

$7.11 Ft 2,334

$18.54 Ft 6,089

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.44 Ft 2,116

$4.16 Ft 1,366

$8.91 Ft 2,927

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.32 Ft 4,704

$8.96 Ft 2,944

$17.92 Ft 5,888

Apples (1kg)

$2.01 Ft 660

$1.09 Ft 359

$2.48 Ft 814

Banana (1kg)

$2.12 Ft 696

$1.51 Ft 496

$2.78 Ft 912

Oranges (1kg)

$2.13 Ft 699

$1.19 Ft 391

$3.27 Ft 1,075

Tomato (1kg)

$3.36 Ft 1,105

$1.45 Ft 477

$4.85 Ft 1,592

Potato (1kg)

$1.04 Ft 343

$0.59 Ft 194

$1.50 Ft 492

Onion (1kg)

$1.18 Ft 389

$0.59 Ft 194

$1.78 Ft 583

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.50 Ft 492

$0.90 Ft 296

$2.11 Ft 693

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 Ft 193

$0.36 Ft 117

$0.95 Ft 313

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.74 Ft 2,544

$6.82 Ft 2,239

$9.29 Ft 3,052

Wine (Bottle)

$5.11 Ft 1,677

$2.34 Ft 769

$9.02 Ft 2,961

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.20 Ft 393

$0.89 Ft 291

$1.48 Ft 486

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.93 Ft 633

$1.16 Ft 381

$3.77 Ft 1,240

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.39 Ft 457

$1.04 Ft 342

$1.62 Ft 533

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$26.94 Ft 8,851

$22.46 Ft 7,377

$29.93 Ft 9,833

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.42 Ft 1,123

$2.80 Ft 918

$4.97 Ft 1,632

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.39 Ft 456

$1.24 Ft 406

$1.69 Ft 556

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$18.45 Ft 6,060

$16.91 Ft 5,555

$22.14 Ft 7,271

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.89 Ft 621

$1.74 Ft 571

$1.98 Ft 651

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 9.9M

$37.8K Ft 12.4M

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

$160 Ft 52.5K

$118 Ft 38.8K

$236 Ft 77.6K

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

$25.56 Ft 8,398

$15.01 Ft 4,931

$36.02 Ft 11.8K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.47 Ft 7,381

$17.09 Ft 5,612

$32.97 Ft 10.8K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$53.1 Ft 17.4K

$32.84 Ft 10.8K

$74.6 Ft 24.5K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.16 Ft 5,307

$10.44 Ft 3,429

$23.87 Ft 7,841

Cinema Ticket

$8.74 Ft 2,870

$6.58 Ft 2,163

$10.47 Ft 3,438

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

$399 Ft 130.9K

$181 Ft 59.4K

$904 Ft 296.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.0K Ft 3.6M

$4,809 Ft 1.6M

$28.4K Ft 9.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$87.0 Ft 28.6K

$36.63 Ft 12.0K

$123 Ft 40.5K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.59 Ft 11.7K

$18.17 Ft 5,968

$60.6 Ft 19.9K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.8 Ft 30.8K

$61.7 Ft 20.3K

$126 Ft 41.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$97.2 Ft 31.9K

$59.9 Ft 19.7K

$135 Ft 44.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$598 Ft 196.4K

$426 Ft 140.1K

$914 Ft 300.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$466 Ft 153.0K

$308 Ft 101.0K

$677 Ft 222.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,040 Ft 341.6K

$609 Ft 200.2K

$1,706 Ft 560.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$809 Ft 265.7K

$538 Ft 176.7K

$1,285 Ft 422.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,668 Ft 1.2M

$2,288 Ft 751.6K

$6,143 Ft 2.0M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,683 Ft 881.5K

$1,676 Ft 550.6K

$4,572 Ft 1.5M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,290 Ft 423.6K

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

21:24 9:24 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

9,599,744

💱 Currency

Hungarian Forint HUF Ft

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 HUF = 3.04 USD

1,000 HUF = 2.73 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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	$689	$1,155	$1,622	$2,360	88.62	186.26
2	Békéscsaba	54460	54	$612	$1,115	$1,549	$2,145	89.81	242.67
3	Budaors	29398	71	$764	$1,488	$1,963	$2,949	21.47	264.69
4	Budapest	1686222	79	$826	$1,638	$2,090	$3,467	256.4	306.61
5	Csongrad	15409	63	$742	$1,273	$1,927	$2,835	25.03	165.76
6	Dabas	17542	62	$728	$1,287	$1,776	$2,611	57.56	333.86
7	Debrecen	201704	69	$742	$1,431	$1,849	$3,073	211.94	266.32
8	Dunaföldvár	8800	62	$742	$1,314	$1,861	$2,750	6.41	178.82
9	Dunakeszi	42747	62	$725	$1,289	$1,823	$2,638	64.47	301.67
10	Dunaujvaros	41394	58	$666	$1,210	$1,673	$2,475	90.45	316.33
11	Eger	49499	59	$682	$1,222	$1,665	$2,422	46.88	255.08
12	Érd	71338	55	$705	$1,144	$1,914	$2,740	161.83	296.04
13	Esztergom	28642	62	$751	$1,299	$1,878	$2,650	319.42	194.93
14	Godollo	32524	67	$749	$1,395	$1,851	$2,943	283.35	237.55
15	Gyongyos	27645	48	$606	$1,015	$1,542	$2,244	98.22	277.56
16	Gyor	130191	62	$741	$1,291	$1,852	$2,783	124.55	210.22
17	Heviz	4500	66	$780	$1,390	$1,988	$2,826	42.26	218.61
18	Hodmezovasarhely	41781	61	$711	$1,258	$1,844	$2,647	130.63	230.21
19	Kalocsa	14433	62	$745	$1,307	$1,869	$2,764	26.94	239.49
20	Kaposvár	58830	58	$647	$1,196	$1,579	$2,370	97.67	180.95
21	Kecskemet	109450	56	$645	$1,171	$1,568	$2,289	104.67	163.33
22	Kiskunfelegyhaza	28562	63	$749	$1,267	$1,942	$2,752	219.92	137.35
23	Kisvarda	14888	60	$709	$1,316	$1,786	$2,632	104.23	186.36
24	Lake Balaton	275000	53	$618	$1,103	$1,568	$2,241	139.01	115.86
25	Miskolc	143502	57	$672	$1,187	$1,690	$2,467	45.06	272.38
26	Mohacs	17200	60	$714	$1,255	$1,824	$2,563	138.09	256.14
27	Nagykanizsa	42502	51	$681	$1,067	$1,739	$2,243	119.93	220.93
28	Nyiregyhaza	115359	49	$653	$1,027	$1,693	$1,821	103.21	246.84
29	Paks	17917	55	$619	$1,154	$1,517	$2,297	205.58	251.06
30	Paszto	9500	63	$739	$1,312	$1,925	$2,653	210.35	176.12
31	Pecs	140330	66	$740	$1,372	$1,927	$2,907	36.08	267.37
32	Siofok	24021	60	$794	$1,249	$2,001	$2,795	51.33	240.86
33	Sopron	61589	64	$687	$1,331	$1,740	$2,619	80.64	247.27
34	Szeged	157930	59	$720	$1,223	$1,870	$2,613	44.79	228.16
35	Szekesfehervar	96024	52	$654	$1,089	$1,703	$2,485	87.08	302.15
36	Szekszard	29707	57	$666	$1,178	$1,667	$2,424	88.51	245.29
37	Szentendre	28444	69	$737	$1,444	$1,871	$2,726	96.98	255.22
38	Szolnok	66426	53	$651	$1,098	$1,645	$2,270	34.31	302.32
39	Szombathely	77757	59	$727	$1,222	$1,857	$2,666	22.07	227.02
40	Tamási	8000	55	$618	$1,127	$1,621	$2,388	38.7	217.97
41	Tatabanya	65861	59	$693	$1,224	$1,699	$2,477	26.59	299.51
42	Vac	34001	63	$759	$1,311	$2,195	$3,093	166.29	233.74
43	Veszprem	56029	60	$671	$1,258	$1,721	$2,502	123.38	210.32
44	Zalaegerszeg	55152	52	$639	$1,078	$1,710	$2,164	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 $1,015 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.