✦ Cost of living
Prague
Prague, Czech Republic
US = 100
In plain terms: Prague is about 19% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $950/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing88−12%
- Food & groceries78−22%
- Transport60−40%
- Utilities100−0%
- Healthcare65−35%
- Goods & services82−18%
About
“The City of a Hundred Spires”
A fairy-tale capital of Gothic spires and Baroque squares that doubles as one of Central Europe's biggest expat and IT hubs — Western-quality living at noticeably lower prices, though rents have climbed fast.
- Currency
- Czech koruna · CZK
- Languages
- Czech
- Coordinates
- 50.08, 14.44
- Emergency
- 112
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
23%
Income tax
progressive
21%
VAT / sales
21%
Corporate
$1,400
Avg net salary
per month
15% base, 23% above ~3× average wage.
Visas & residency
EU Blue Card and the Employee Card; the živnostenský list (trade licence) is the classic freelancer/nomad route.
✈ Schengen 90/180 for many passports.
Employer-tied residence + work permit.
Self-employment route used by nomads.
2023 program for select nationalities in IT.
Permanent residence after ~5 yrs. Citizenship after ~5 yrs.
Quality of life
Safety
75/100
Healthcare
75/100
Pollution
40/100
Internet
150 Mbps
Jan avg
0 °C
Jul avg
+19 °C
Sunny days
170/yr
Walkability
82/100
Public transit
85/100
Family-friendly
70/100
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 Prague, CZ?
Prague, CZ's cost-of-living index is 81 (US average = 100) — about 19% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $950 per month.
What are the average living costs in Prague, CZ?
Living costs in Prague, CZ are about 19% cheaper than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 81 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $950. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Prague, CZ?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $950 per month, and around $720 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Czech Republic?
Czech Republic has a top income-tax rate of 23% and a VAT or sales tax of 21%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Prague, CZ?
Prague, CZ averages around 0 °C in January and +19 °C in July, with roughly 170 sunny days a year.
Is Prague, CZ safe?
Prague, CZ scores 75 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
❖ Compare Prague with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.