Cost of living in Budapest, Hungary

Summary of cost of living in Budapest

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: 1,147,795 Ft
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: 580,462 Ft
  • Cost of living in Budapest is cheaper than in 53% of cities in Eastern Europe (8 out of 15)
  • Cost of living in Budapest is cheaper than in 78% of cities in the World (113 out of 145)
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List of prices in Budapest
Current as of Apr 2025.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 4,128 Ft
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) 2,686 Ft
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast 1,134 Ft
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 447 Ft
12 eggs, large 1,300 Ft
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 1,129 Ft
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 2,321 Ft
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 670 Ft
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 442 Ft
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket 361 Ft
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 2,656 Ft
2 liters of coca-cola 759 Ft
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 302 Ft
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area 458,917 Ft
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area 317,947 Ft
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 47,059 Ft
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area 250,129 Ft
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area 205,642 Ft
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio 32,601 Ft
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) 6,823 Ft
40” flat screen tv 130,168 Ft
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) 34,989 Ft
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 4,888 Ft
Hourly rate for cleaning help 3,595 Ft
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) 23,355 Ft
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) 12,381 Ft
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) 28,278 Ft
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes 40,766 Ft
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new 9,392,060 Ft
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 626 Ft
Monthly ticket public transport 9,186 Ft
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 4,377 Ft
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) 2,959 Ft
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) 3,795 Ft
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) 18,761 Ft
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) 2,072 Ft
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) 1,030 Ft
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) 1,298 Ft
4 rolls of toilet paper 836 Ft
Tube of toothpaste 1,052 Ft
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 6,019 Ft
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 11,875 Ft
2 tickets to the movies 5,420 Ft
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) 19,211 Ft
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert 15,944 Ft
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 2,120 Ft
Cappuccino in expat area of the city 1,285 Ft
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 956 Ft
Ipad wi-fi 128gb 255,805 Ft
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 29 Ft
1 month of gym membership in business district 21,291 Ft
1 package of marlboro cigarettes 2,178 Ft
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 448 prices entered by 81 different people.
Latest price update: April 27, 2025

Moving to Budapest with your children?

International Schools in Budapest

Budapest position in our World Ranking

the world
113th
out of 145
eastern europe
8th
out of 15

Cheapest and most expensive products in Budapest compared to other cities:

eastern europe
1st
eastern europe
1st
eastern europe
2nd
eastern europe
3rd
eastern europe
3rd
eastern europe
3rd

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Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new

in Budapest?

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International Cost of Living Index

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