Cost of Living in Lake Balaton - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Lake Balaton
Address: Lake Balaton, HU

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $614 (excluding rent), and $1,086 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,555 (excluding rent), and $2,213 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.38 Ft 2,748

$6.43 Ft 2,108

$13.97 Ft 4,582

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$46.83 Ft 15.4K

$29.27 Ft 9,598

$73.2 Ft 24K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.62 Ft 2,825

$5.75 Ft 1,886

$8.62 Ft 2,825

Cappuccino

$2 Ft 656

$1.12 Ft 368

$3.1 Ft 1,017

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

$1.41 Ft 464

$1.03 Ft 337

$2.34 Ft 768

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.94 Ft 308

$0.73 Ft 241

$1.96 Ft 642

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.89 Ft 621

$1.02 Ft 335

$3.35 Ft 1,099

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.13 Ft 697

$1.7 Ft 558

$3.4 Ft 1,114

Milk (1 liter)

$1.07 Ft 350

$0.77 Ft 253

$1.28 Ft 421

White Bread (500g)

$1.55 Ft 507

$1.17 Ft 383

$2.34 Ft 767

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.82 Ft 598

$1.12 Ft 368

$2.81 Ft 921

Eggs

$2.7 Ft 887

$1.76 Ft 577

$3.86 Ft 1,267

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.08 Ft 2,979

$5.48 Ft 1,798

$16.85 Ft 5,526

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.74 Ft 1,884

$3.94 Ft 1,291

$7.87 Ft 2,582

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.78 Ft 3,862

$8.03 Ft 2,634

$17.21 Ft 5,643

Apples (1kg)

$1.81 Ft 593

$1.07 Ft 350

$2.36 Ft 774

Banana (1kg)

$1.91 Ft 627

$1.38 Ft 453

$2.77 Ft 908

Oranges (1kg)

$2.05 Ft 671

$1.17 Ft 384

$3.23 Ft 1,058

Tomato (1kg)

$2.81 Ft 923

$1.23 Ft 404

$5.66 Ft 1,855

Potato (1kg)

$1.06 Ft 347

$0.79 Ft 260

$1.56 Ft 511

Onion (1kg)

$1.19 Ft 389

$0.85 Ft 279

$1.71 Ft 561

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.5 Ft 491

$0.88 Ft 289

$2.36 Ft 773

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 Ft 172

$0.35 Ft 114

$0.82 Ft 270

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.61 Ft 2,167

$5.63 Ft 1,846

$8.43 Ft 2,766

Wine (Bottle)

$5.78 Ft 1,894

$3.57 Ft 1,171

$7.43 Ft 2,437

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.04 Ft 340

$0.74 Ft 243

$1.42 Ft 467

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.42 Ft 464

$0.96 Ft 316

$2.26 Ft 742

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.13 Ft 370

$0.84 Ft 277

$1.34 Ft 441

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$24.92 Ft 8,172

$19.48 Ft 6,387

$26.71 Ft 8,760

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.91 Ft 954

$1.91 Ft 626

$3.83 Ft 1,255

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.15 Ft 378

$1.32 Ft 431

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$17.37 Ft 5,697

$17.01 Ft 5,578

$17.37 Ft 5,697

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.7 Ft 556

$1.59 Ft 521

$1.84 Ft 605

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

$26.1K Ft 8.6M

$26K Ft 8.5M

$30.8K Ft 10.1M

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

$30.6K Ft 10M

$25.5K Ft 8.4M

$34K Ft 11.2M

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

$145 Ft 47.7K

$102 Ft 33.6K

$207 Ft 68K

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

$26.28 Ft 8,617

$14.19 Ft 4,654

$28.39 Ft 9,309

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$19.9 Ft 6,526

$14.56 Ft 4,774

$26.2 Ft 8,593

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.19 Ft 15.5K

$31.94 Ft 10.5K

$49.37 Ft 16.2K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.01 Ft 5,578

$10.2 Ft 3,346

$17.01 Ft 5,578

Cinema Ticket

$7.24 Ft 2,376

$5.84 Ft 1,915

$9.83 Ft 3,224

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

$298 Ft 97.6K

$225 Ft 73.8K

$421 Ft 138.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,540 Ft 2.1M

$5,750 Ft 1.9M

$7,044 Ft 2.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70 Ft 23K

$38.31 Ft 12.6K

$114 Ft 37.2K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.92 Ft 8,829

$17.01 Ft 5,577

$42.51 Ft 13.9K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.8 Ft 23.6K

$57.5 Ft 18.8K

$115 Ft 37.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80.5 Ft 26.4K

$58 Ft 19K

$145 Ft 47.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$454 Ft 149K

$293 Ft 96.1K

$506 Ft 165.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$352 Ft 115.3K

$278 Ft 91.3K

$366 Ft 120.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$637 Ft 209K

$521 Ft 170.9K

$868 Ft 284.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$532 Ft 174.5K

$402 Ft 132K

$632 Ft 207.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,995 Ft 982.2K

$2,426 Ft 795.7K

$3,336 Ft 1.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,305 Ft 755.9K

$1,799 Ft 589.9K

$2,998 Ft 983.2K

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: November 22, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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🇪🇺 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.