Cost of Living in Lake Balaton - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Lake Balaton
Address: Lake Balaton, HU

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $628 (excluding rent), and $1,122 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,543 (excluding rent), and $2,205 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.78 Ft 2,915

$6.74 Ft 2,236

$14.65 Ft 4,861

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.77 Ft 15.2K

$28.60 Ft 9,495

$71.5 Ft 23.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.89 Ft 2,950

$5.93 Ft 1,969

$8.89 Ft 2,950

Cappuccino

$2.02 Ft 670

$1.13 Ft 376

$3.13 Ft 1,040

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

$1.35 Ft 448

$0.98 Ft 326

$2.24 Ft 742

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.99 Ft 330

$0.78 Ft 258

$2.07 Ft 687

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.85 Ft 613

$1.00 Ft 331

$3.27 Ft 1,085

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.15 Ft 713

$1.72 Ft 571

$3.43 Ft 1,140

Milk (1 liter)

$1.10 Ft 364

$0.79 Ft 263

$1.32 Ft 438

White Bread (500g)

$1.49 Ft 495

$1.13 Ft 374

$2.25 Ft 748

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.89 Ft 626

$1.16 Ft 385

$2.91 Ft 965

Eggs

$2.68 Ft 890

$1.74 Ft 579

$3.83 Ft 1,271

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.36 Ft 3,107

$5.65 Ft 1,876

$17.36 Ft 5,764

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.76 Ft 1,912

$3.95 Ft 1,310

$7.90 Ft 2,621

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.79 Ft 3,914

$8.04 Ft 2,669

$17.23 Ft 5,718

Apples (1kg)

$1.72 Ft 572

$1.02 Ft 338

$2.25 Ft 748

Banana (1kg)

$1.96 Ft 650

$1.41 Ft 469

$2.84 Ft 942

Oranges (1kg)

$1.97 Ft 652

$1.12 Ft 373

$3.10 Ft 1,029

Tomato (1kg)

$2.93 Ft 972

$1.28 Ft 425

$5.89 Ft 1,955

Potato (1kg)

$1.11 Ft 368

$0.83 Ft 276

$1.63 Ft 542

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 Ft 388

$0.84 Ft 278

$1.69 Ft 560

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.45 Ft 481

$0.85 Ft 283

$2.28 Ft 758

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 Ft 184

$0.37 Ft 123

$0.87 Ft 290

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.82 Ft 2,263

$5.81 Ft 1,928

$8.70 Ft 2,889

Wine (Bottle)

$5.88 Ft 1,951

$3.63 Ft 1,207

$7.56 Ft 2,510

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 Ft 358

$0.77 Ft 256

$1.48 Ft 491

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.41 Ft 467

$0.96 Ft 318

$2.25 Ft 745

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.12 Ft 371

$0.84 Ft 278

$1.33 Ft 442

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$25.14 Ft 8,344

$19.65 Ft 6,521

$26.94 Ft 8,943

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.93 Ft 971

$1.92 Ft 637

$3.85 Ft 1,278

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.15 Ft 382

$1.31 Ft 436

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$17.08 Ft 5,671

$16.73 Ft 5,553

$17.08 Ft 5,671

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.75 Ft 580

$1.64 Ft 543

$1.90 Ft 631

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

$25.9K Ft 8.6M

$25.7K Ft 8.5M

$30.5K Ft 10.1M

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

$30.7K Ft 10.2M

$25.6K Ft 8.5M

$34.2K Ft 11.3M

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

$145 Ft 48.2K

$102 Ft 34.0K

$207 Ft 68.8K

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

$26.62 Ft 8,837

$14.38 Ft 4,774

$28.76 Ft 9,547

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$19.53 Ft 6,482

$14.29 Ft 4,742

$25.71 Ft 8,535

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.02 Ft 15.3K

$31.15 Ft 10.3K

$48.15 Ft 16.0K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.66 Ft 5,530

$9.99 Ft 3,317

$16.66 Ft 5,530

Cinema Ticket

$7.58 Ft 2,516

$6.11 Ft 2,027

$10.29 Ft 3,414

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

$295 Ft 97.9K

$223 Ft 74.0K

$417 Ft 138.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,558 Ft 2.2M

$5,765 Ft 1.9M

$7,062 Ft 2.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$72.3 Ft 24.0K

$39.57 Ft 13.1K

$117 Ft 38.9K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.45 Ft 9,110

$17.34 Ft 5,755

$43.34 Ft 14.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.0 Ft 23.6K

$56.8 Ft 18.9K

$114 Ft 37.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$78.8 Ft 26.2K

$56.8 Ft 18.9K

$142 Ft 47.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$452 Ft 150.0K

$292 Ft 96.8K

$503 Ft 167.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$339 Ft 112.5K

$268 Ft 89.0K

$353 Ft 117.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$634 Ft 210.5K

$518 Ft 172.1K

$864 Ft 286.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$538 Ft 178.5K

$407 Ft 135.0K

$639 Ft 212.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,968 Ft 985.1K

$2,404 Ft 798.0K

$3,306 Ft 1.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,320 Ft 770.1K

$1,811 Ft 601.1K

$3,018 Ft 1.0M

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.4

5.5

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

Lake Balaton Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

203

Mbps

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Lake Balaton - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Lake Balaton, Hungary offers a practical balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want a lakeside base without a big-city price tag. You’ll find a mix of affordable guesthouses, family-run eateries, and seasonal rentals that can stretch a budget compared with capital hubs. Town choice matters: smaller villages tend to be friendlier on costs, while popular Balaton towns can price up in peak season. Long stays often unlock better housing terms, especially outside July and August. Seasonality affects groceries, dining, and transport, so budget with a shoulder-season cushion and plan your workdays around quieter months if possible. Tip: look for flexible or month-to-month leases and test coworking spaces during low season to gauge true monthly costs.

Daily life centers on outdoor recreation, seasonal markets, and compact towns where amenities are walkable. For housing, scan smaller lakeside villages for affordable rents; consider month-to-month options or village co-ops to keep costs predictable. Grocery stores range from local markets to larger chains; cooking at home often beats frequent dining out. Transport is flexible: bikes, buses, and ferries link towns around the lake, with car use heavier in high season. For remote work, look for coworking spaces that stay open year-round and offer short-term passes. Lake Balaton, Hungary living cost varies by season, so map a summer plan and a quieter shoulder-season plan to balance daily needs. Tip: bundle errands to minimize trips and use off-peak travel times.

Quality of life here blends outdoor leisure with practical budgeting. Think in terms of neighborhood fit: family-friendly bays in quieter towns versus lively promenade areas in busy tourist hubs. A straightforward budgeting framework: separate fixed costs (rent, transit passes) from flexible ones (groceries, dining, weekend trips). Save by shopping local markets, taking advantage of shoulder seasons, and choosing seasonal activities like hiking, cycling, and municipal festivals. Seasonality also influences housing availability, so include a buffer for short-term rentals or seasonal leases. For a comfortable balance, mix a compact apartment with access to a coworking space and a bike for short trips. Tip: explore neighborhoods during different seasons to see true livability and commute reality.