✦ Cost of living
Budapest
Budapest, Hungary
US = 100
In plain terms: Budapest is about 33% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $700/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing65−35%
- Food & groceries68−32%
- Transport50−50%
- Utilities95−5%
- Healthcare55−45%
- Goods & services72−28%
About
“Pearl of the Danube”
Grand Habsburg boulevards, thermal baths and ruin bars split by the Danube — one of the EU's best-value capitals, with a flat 15% tax and the White Card pulling in a fast-growing nomad crowd.
- Currency
- Hungarian forint · HUF
- Languages
- Hungarian
- Coordinates
- 47.50, 19.04
- Emergency
- 112
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
15%
Income tax
flat
27%
VAT / sales
9%
Corporate
$900
Avg net salary
per month
9% corporate tax is the lowest in the EU.
Visas & residency
A flat 15% income tax and the White Card digital-nomad residence permit.
✈ Schengen 90/180 for many passports.
Remote workers, ~$3,000/mo income.
Permanent residence after ~3 yrs. Citizenship after ~8 yrs.
Quality of life
Safety
72/100
Healthcare
60/100
Pollution
50/100
Internet
200 Mbps
Jan avg
0 °C
Jul avg
+22 °C
Sunny days
200/yr
Walkability
80/100
Public transit
82/100
Family-friendly
65/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Moderate
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 40
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: 2026-08-14 · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
? Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Budapest, HU?
Budapest, HU's cost-of-living index is 67 (US average = 100) — about 33% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $700 per month.
What are the average living costs in Budapest, HU?
Living costs in Budapest, HU are about 33% cheaper than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 67 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $700. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Budapest, HU?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $700 per month, and around $520 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Hungary?
Hungary has a top income-tax rate of 15% and a VAT or sales tax of 27%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Budapest, HU?
Budapest, HU averages around 0 °C in January and +22 °C in July, with roughly 200 sunny days a year.
Is Budapest, HU safe?
Budapest, HU scores 72 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
❖ Compare Budapest with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.