Cost of living in Budapest (Hungary) is about the same as in Cape Town (South Africa)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 770 prices entered by 112 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 25% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Budapest (Hungary) is 25% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Budapest | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 4,128 Ft (R 204) | R 104 | + 95% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 2,686 Ft (R 133) | R 89 | + 49% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,134 Ft (R 56) | R 67 | - 16% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 447 Ft (R 22) | R 18 | + 23% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 1,198 Ft (R 59) | R 54 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 1,129 Ft (R 56) | R 28 | + 99% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 2,321 Ft (R 115) | R 81 | + 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 670 Ft (R 33) | R 27 | + 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 442 Ft (R 22) | R 31 | - 29% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 361 Ft (R 18) | R 28 | - 35% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,656 Ft (R 131) | R 141 | - 7% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 759 Ft (R 37) | R 28 | + 34% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 302 Ft (R 15) | R 16 | - 4% | |
| Housing | - 12% | |||
| Housing in Budapest (Hungary) is 12% cheaper than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Budapest | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 458,917 Ft (R 22,657) | R 21,036 | + 8% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 317,947 Ft (R 15,697) | R 15,092 | + 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 47,059 Ft (R 2,323) | R 2,135 | + 9% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 250,129 Ft (R 12,349) | R 20,215 | - 39% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 205,642 Ft (R 10,153) | R 11,139 | - 9% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 32,601 Ft (R 1,610) | R 773 | + 108% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 6,823 Ft (R 337) | R 629 | - 46% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 130,168 Ft (R 6,426) | R 6,033 | + 7% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 34,989 Ft (R 1,727) | R 1,892 | - 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 4,888 Ft (R 241) | R 119 | + 103% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 3,595 Ft (R 177) | R 133 | + 33% | |
| Clothes | - 2% | |||
| Clothes in Budapest (Hungary) is about the same as in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Budapest | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 23,355 Ft (R 1,153) | R 883 | + 31% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 12,381 Ft (R 611) | R 790 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 28,278 Ft (R 1,396) | R 1,851 | - 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 40,766 Ft (R 2,013) | R 1,334 | + 51% | |
| Transportation | - 6% | |||
| Transportation in Budapest (Hungary) is 6% cheaper than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Budapest | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,392,060 Ft (R 463,688) | R 439,141 | + 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 626 Ft (R 31) | R 23 | + 36% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 9,186 Ft (R 454) | R 644 | - 30% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 4,377 Ft (R 216) | R 135 | + 61% | |
| Personal Care | + 31% | |||
| Personal Care in Budapest (Hungary) is 31% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Budapest | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2,959 Ft (R 146) | R 66 | + 123% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 3,795 Ft (R 187) | R 184 | + 2% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 18,761 Ft (R 926) | R 729 | + 27% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 2,072 Ft (R 102) | R 56 | + 83% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,030 Ft (R 51) | R 40 | + 28% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,298 Ft (R 64) | R 58 | + 10% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 836 Ft (R 41) | R 39 | + 6% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1,052 Ft (R 52) | R 27 | + 89% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 6,019 Ft (R 297) | R 189 | + 57% | |
| Entertainment | + 22% | |||
| Entertainment in Budapest (Hungary) is 22% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Budapest | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 11,875 Ft (R 586) | R 378 | + 55% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 5,420 Ft (R 268) | R 220 | + 22% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 19,211 Ft (R 948) | R 1,050 | - 10% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 15,944 Ft (R 787) | R 722 | + 9% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 2,120 Ft (R 105) | R 84 | + 25% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1,285 Ft (R 63) | R 43 | + 47% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 956 Ft (R 47) | R 42 | + 13% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 255,805 Ft (R 12,629) | R 9,948 | + 27% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 29 Ft (R 1.44) | R 2.72 | - 47% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 21,291 Ft (R 1,051) | R 469 | + 124% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,196 Ft (R 108) | R 55 | + 97% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 3% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 770 prices entered by 112 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 27, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.04937
ZAR
/
HUF
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For example, you would need at least R 71,186 (1,441,890 Ft) in Budapest to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with R 69,000 in Cape Town.
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