Cost of Living in Hungary - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Hungary
Address: HU

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,122 per month with rent on average across Hungary.

A couple spends around $1,706 per month with rent on average across Hungary.

A family of three spends around $2,290 per month with rent on average across Hungary.

Across 44 cities in Hungary, monthly living costs range from $885 to $1,426 – a $541 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.73 Ft 3,612

$7.34 Ft 2,260

$15.34 Ft 4,723

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$51.6 Ft 15.9K

$34.40 Ft 10.6K

$86.0 Ft 26.5K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.88 Ft 2,733

$7.40 Ft 2,281

$10.36 Ft 3,190

Cappuccino

$2.39 Ft 737

$1.18 Ft 362

$3.79 Ft 1,168

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

$1.57 Ft 485

$1.02 Ft 314

$2.33 Ft 718

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.13 Ft 349

$0.70 Ft 217

$2.11 Ft 649

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.24 Ft 690

$1.12 Ft 345

$3.64 Ft 1,122

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.93 Ft 901

$1.76 Ft 541

$4.09 Ft 1,261

Milk (1 liter)

$1.12 Ft 344

$0.85 Ft 262

$1.48 Ft 456

White Bread (500g)

$1.49 Ft 460

$1.00 Ft 307

$2.56 Ft 788

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.98 Ft 609

$1.16 Ft 357

$2.90 Ft 895

Eggs

$2.94 Ft 906

$1.76 Ft 541

$3.88 Ft 1,196

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.50 Ft 2,926

$5.72 Ft 1,761

$17.15 Ft 5,281

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.99 Ft 1,845

$4.04 Ft 1,244

$8.65 Ft 2,663

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.33 Ft 3,799

$7.15 Ft 2,202

$18.91 Ft 5,823

Apples (1kg)

$1.73 Ft 534

$1.01 Ft 310

$2.32 Ft 713

Banana (1kg)

$1.89 Ft 582

$1.26 Ft 389

$2.66 Ft 820

Oranges (1kg)

$2.09 Ft 643

$1.18 Ft 364

$3.55 Ft 1,092

Tomato (1kg)

$3.15 Ft 971

$1.28 Ft 395

$5.71 Ft 1,757

Potato (1kg)

$1.16 Ft 356

$0.74 Ft 227

$1.76 Ft 542

Onion (1kg)

$1.22 Ft 375

$0.85 Ft 260

$1.70 Ft 524

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.44 Ft 444

$0.87 Ft 269

$2.33 Ft 719

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 Ft 174

$0.36 Ft 110

$0.90 Ft 278

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.51 Ft 2,004

$5.94 Ft 1,828

$7.92 Ft 2,440

Wine (Bottle)

$4.79 Ft 1,477

$2.49 Ft 766

$7.98 Ft 2,458

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.10 Ft 339

$0.79 Ft 242

$1.42 Ft 436

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.48 Ft 455

$0.99 Ft 304

$2.25 Ft 693

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.26 Ft 389

$1.03 Ft 317

$1.68 Ft 517

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$26.30 Ft 8,099

$24.55 Ft 7,561

$29.22 Ft 8,999

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.14 Ft 968

$2.57 Ft 791

$4.28 Ft 1,319

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.16 Ft 358

$1.06 Ft 326

$1.32 Ft 408

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$18.93 Ft 5,832

$15.78 Ft 4,859

$18.93 Ft 5,832

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.70 Ft 524

$1.57 Ft 482

$1.82 Ft 560

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

$28.6K Ft 8.8M

$25.9K Ft 8.0M

$32.0K Ft 9.8M

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

$30.4K Ft 9.4M

$26.0K Ft 8.0M

$34.6K Ft 10.7M

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

$147 Ft 45.4K

$103 Ft 31.8K

$225 Ft 69.3K

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

$26.72 Ft 8,230

$14.49 Ft 4,464

$34.79 Ft 10.7K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.07 Ft 6,180

$14.11 Ft 4,344

$28.21 Ft 8,689

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$52.4 Ft 16.1K

$34.42 Ft 10.6K

$71.7 Ft 22.1K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.26 Ft 5,624

$11.07 Ft 3,411

$27.67 Ft 8,523

Cinema Ticket

$8.51 Ft 2,622

$6.53 Ft 2,012

$9.94 Ft 3,060

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

$393 Ft 121.0K

$204 Ft 62.7K

$727 Ft 224.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.3K Ft 3.2M

$4,677 Ft 1.4M

$21.1K Ft 6.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$80.0 Ft 24.6K

$28.67 Ft 8,830

$127 Ft 39.1K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.56 Ft 11.6K

$17.54 Ft 5,402

$70.5 Ft 21.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.6 Ft 27.0K

$56.7 Ft 17.5K

$113 Ft 34.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$96.7 Ft 29.8K

$58.6 Ft 18.0K

$147 Ft 45.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$573 Ft 176.6K

$402 Ft 123.8K

$861 Ft 265.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$453 Ft 139.4K

$319 Ft 98.3K

$609 Ft 187.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$973 Ft 299.8K

$576 Ft 177.4K

$1,728 Ft 532.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$770 Ft 237.0K

$521 Ft 160.5K

$1,158 Ft 356.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,954 Ft 1.2M

$2,433 Ft 749.3K

$6,531 Ft 2.0M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,884 Ft 888.3K

$1,755 Ft 540.5K

$4,786 Ft 1.5M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,371 Ft 422.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.35

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

Last update: April 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom averages $450 nationally. In Budapest, expect around $736, while Nyiregyhaza – the country's most affordable city overall – comes in at $526.

The average net salary across Hungary is $1,233 – enough to cover average monthly costs of $1,122, but with limited room for savings. Margins vary widely by city.

Groceries average around $216 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $44.

Most affordable: Nyiregyhaza at $885 per month. The capital, Budapest, sits at $1,426. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $541 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($1,122) is 17% below the global median of $1,347.

Average rent ($450) is 28% below the global median of $629.

Public transport ($25) is 24% below the global median of $33.

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	55	$706	$1,095	$1,734	$2,157	88.62	186.26
2	Budaors	29398	69	$778	$1,382	$1,852	$2,745	21.47	264.69
3	Budapest	1686222	72	$723	$1,426	$1,911	$3,012	256.4	306.61
4	Békéscsaba	54460	54	$565	$1,065	$1,500	$2,144	89.81	242.67
5	Csongrad	15409	59	$659	$1,170	$1,501	$2,380	25.03	165.76
6	Dabas	17542	59	$586	$1,164	$1,439	$2,276	57.56	333.86
7	Debrecen	201704	61	$618	$1,194	$1,525	$2,491	211.94	266.32
8	Dunaföldvár	8800	60	$606	$1,180	$1,661	$2,439	6.41	178.82
9	Dunakeszi	42747	58	$630	$1,151	$1,865	$2,389	64.47	301.67
10	Dunaujvaros	41394	56	$608	$1,093	$1,515	$2,221	90.45	316.33
11	Eger	49499	53	$680	$1,054	$1,493	$2,212	46.88	255.08
12	Esztergom	28642	58	$671	$1,156	$1,352	$2,282	319.42	194.93
13	Godollo	32524	61	$576	$1,216	$1,597	$2,247	283.35	237.55
14	Gyongyos	27645	50	$539	$996	$1,546	$2,160	98.22	277.56
15	Gyor	130191	60	$695	$1,203	$1,757	$2,606	124.55	210.22
16	Heviz	4500	61	$812	$1,222	$1,690	$2,567	42.26	218.61
17	Hodmezovasarhely	41781	57	$614	$1,138	$1,384	$2,253	130.63	230.21
18	Kalocsa	14433	60	$619	$1,197	$1,824	$2,404	26.94	239.49
19	Kaposvár	58830	55	$543	$1,106	$1,612	$2,207	97.67	180.95
20	Kecskemet	109450	52	$557	$1,039	$1,229	$1,997	104.67	163.33
21	Kiskunfelegyhaza	28562	59	$608	$1,160	$1,923	$2,417	219.92	137.35
22	Kisvarda	14888	57	$636	$1,133	$1,643	$2,270	104.23	186.36
23	Lake Balaton	275000	55	$625	$1,118	$1,545	$2,253	139.01	115.86
24	Miskolc	143502	55	$618	$1,098	$1,561	$2,229	45.06	272.38
25	Mohacs	17200	56	$562	$1,131	$1,678	$2,309	138.09	256.14
26	Nagykanizsa	42502	50	$687	$1,007	$1,619	$2,081	119.93	220.93
27	Nyiregyhaza	115359	45	$555	$885	$1,407	$2,034	103.21	246.84
28	Paks	17917	57	$606	$1,134	$1,487	$2,199	205.58	251.06
29	Paszto	9500	60	$597	$1,184	$1,523	$2,388	210.35	176.12
30	Pecs	140330	60	$667	$1,222	$1,647	$2,364	36.08	267.37
31	Siofok	24021	54	$721	$1,076	$1,522	$2,230	51.33	240.86
32	Sopron	61589	62	$591	$1,236	$1,399	$2,385	80.64	247.27
33	Szeged	157930	53	$619	$1,056	$1,550	$2,252	44.79	228.16
34	Szekesfehervar	96024	51	$688	$1,002	$1,452	$2,307	87.08	302.15
35	Szekszard	29707	53	$599	$1,043	$1,688	$2,169	88.51	245.29
36	Szentendre	28444	57	$553	$1,127	$1,608	$2,393	96.98	255.22
37	Szolnok	66426	46	$541	$903	$1,345	$1,842	34.31	302.32
38	Szombathely	77757	57	$629	$1,146	$1,750	$2,174	22.07	227.02
39	Tamási	8000	51	$608	$1,027	$1,666	$2,131	38.7	217.97
40	Tatabanya	65861	56	$626	$1,116	$1,403	$2,188	26.59	299.51
41	Vac	34001	56	$697	$1,113	$1,573	$2,470	166.29	233.74
42	Veszprem	56029	57	$550	$1,162	$1,491	$2,189	123.38	210.32
43	Zalaegerszeg	55152	49	$592	$989	$1,663	$1,911	159.3	230.5
44	Érd	71338	53	$641	$1,034	$1,502	$2,395	161.83	296.04

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 $885 in smaller cities to $1,426 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, $700 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 $885 per month. Not the cheapest option out there, but far from the most expensive – a reasonable balance of cost and quality of life.