Cost Of Living in Budapest 2025
Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Budapest
Whether you're living in Budapest or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: HUF
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Single
Currency: HUF
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Couple
Currency: HUF
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Family
Currency: HUF
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Student
Currency: HUF
Expenditure to Income Ratio in Budapest
One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.
Spending to Income Ratio
96%
87% to 110%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Expense to income distribution levels
| Spending To Income Ratio | % People |
|---|
| < 50% | 5% |
| 50% - 60% | 10% |
| 60% - 70% | 16% |
| 70% - 80% | 25% |
| 80% - 90% | 19% |
| 90% - 100% | 10% |
| 100% - 110% | 6% |
| 110% - 120% | 4% |
| 120% - 130% | 3% |
| 130% - 140% | 2% |
| > 140% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
The average spending-to-salary ratio in Budapest is 96%
This means that on average, people spend around 96% of their income for living.
According to the distribution table, 16% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.
How can spending be more than income?
A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.
Individual
89%
Spending-Income-Ratio
80%
98%
Couple
96%
Spending-Income-Ratio
87%
110%
Family
99%
Spending-Income-Ratio
89%
110%
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.
Singles
The average monthly expense for a single person living in Budapest is 720,000 HUF. Expenses can range from 100,000 HUF at the minimum level to 8M HUF at the highest end.
Couples
The average monthly spending of couples in Budapest is 1.1M HUF. Expenditure can range from 160,000 HUF to 9.9M HUF per month.
Families
The average cost of living for families in Budapest is 1.3M HUF per month. Families spend anywhere from 250,000 HUF to 13M HUF.
Students
The average monthly expenditure for students in Budapest is 520,000 HUF. Students spend from 79,000 HUF to 5.7M HUF per month.
Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.
How much money can you save in Budapest every month?
We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.
What percentage of people in Budapest manage to save money from their income every month?
Almost 73% of the surveyed people in Budapest said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 27% said that aren't saving anything.
Percentage of people saving money by population group in Budapest
| Group | Savers | Non Savers |
|---|
| Singles | 73% | 27% |
| Couples | 71% | 29% |
| Families | 62% | 38% |
Savings-to-Income Ratio
The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
30,000 HUF
$82 | 300,000 HUF
$820 | 4.5M HUF
$12,000 |
For most people, 13% to 36% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 21% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 300,000 HUF on average with savings ranging from 30,000 HUF to 4.5M HUF.
73% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 71% of couples said the same. 62% of families confirmed their ability to save money.
How much money do people actually save in Budapest?
The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.
Singles
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
29,000 HUF
$78 | 260,000 HUF
$710 | 2.9M HUF
$7,800 |
Savings to income distribution levels for singles
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Singles |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 31% |
| 10% - 20% | 24% |
| 20% - 30% | 16% |
| 30% - 40% | 14% |
| 40% - 50% | 11% |
| > 50% | 4% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 16% to 39% of their monthly income to savings, with 26% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 260,000 HUF with 29,000 HUF and 2.9M HUF being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Couples
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
59,000 HUF
$160 | 380,000 HUF
$1,000 | 3.5M HUF
$9,600 |
Savings to income distribution levels for couples
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Couples |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 35% |
| 10% - 20% | 26% |
| 20% - 30% | 19% |
| 30% - 40% | 9% |
| 40% - 50% | 8% |
| > 50% | 3% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 14% to 39% of their monthly income, with 24% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 380,000 HUF with 59,000 HUF and 3.5M HUF being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Families
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
90,000 HUF
$250 | 450,000 HUF
$1,200 | 4.5M HUF
$12,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for families
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Families |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 38% |
| 10% - 20% | 29% |
| 20% - 30% | 20% |
| 30% - 40% | 6% |
| 40% - 50% | 5% |
| > 50% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Families in Budapest can save anywhere between 11% to 33% of their monthly income, with 19% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 450,000 HUF with 90,000 HUF and 4.5M HUF being the minimum and maximum respectively.
How do people spend their money in Budapest?
We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.
The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.
Housing Expenditure25%
25% of total expenses on average (14% to 33%)
| LOW | $65 24,000 HUF |
| AVERAGE | $650 240,000 HUF |
| HIGH | $9,700 3.5M HUF |
| Per Month |
People living in Budapest typically spend from 14% to 33% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 25% being the average. The average spend on housing is 240,000 HUF with expenditure ranging from 24,000 HUF to 3.5M HUF. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.
Utilities, Electricity, Water, Internet, Mobile7%
7% of total expenses on average (4% to 11%)
| LOW | $9.6 3,500 HUF |
| AVERAGE | $96 35,000 HUF |
| HIGH | $1,400 520,000 HUF |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Budapest ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 35,000 HUF with 3,500 HUF and 520,000 HUF being the upper and lower limits.
Transport, Fuel, Commute7%
7% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $21 7,500 HUF |
| AVERAGE | $210 75,000 HUF |
| HIGH | $3,100 1.1M HUF |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 7,500 HUF to 1.1M HUF on commuting with 75,000 HUF being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 7% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 11%.
Food and Groceries Cost28%
28% of total expenses on average (20% to 34%)
| LOW | $50 18,000 HUF |
| AVERAGE | $500 180,000 HUF |
| HIGH | $7,500 2.7M HUF |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries in a month in Budapest is 180,000 HUF. The cost of groceries can range between 18,000 HUF to 2.7M HUF. People spend on average about 28% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 20% and 34% respectively.
Healthcare and Medical Services10%
10% of total expenses on average (5% to 13%)
| LOW | $12 4,600 HUF |
| AVERAGE | $120 46,000 HUF |
| HIGH | $1,900 680,000 HUF |
| Per Month |
People in Budapest allocate 5% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 4,600 HUF to 680,000 HUF with 46,000 HUF being the norm.
Leisure and Shopping5%
5% of total expenses on average (2% to 9%)
| LOW | $8 2,900 HUF |
| AVERAGE | $80 29,000 HUF |
| HIGH | $1,200 440,000 HUF |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 2,900 HUF to 440,000 HUF with 29,000 HUF being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most residents.
Education and Schooling5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $12 4,400 HUF |
| AVERAGE | $120 44,000 HUF |
| HIGH | $1,800 660,000 HUF |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 44,000 HUF per month with 4,400 HUF being the minimum spent amount and 660,000 HUF being the maximum.
Other Expenses13%
13% of total expenses on average (8% to 20%)
| LOW | $27 10,000 HUF |
| AVERAGE | $270 100,000 HUF |
| HIGH | $4,100 1.5M HUF |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Budapest
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 920 HUF | 1,800 HUF | 3,100 HUF |
Restaurant meal for one
| 3,200 HUF | 4,800 HUF | 9,600 HUF |
Fine dining meal for one
| 6,200 HUF | 9,200 HUF | 37,000 HUF |
Cappuccino or latte
| 790 HUF | 1,300 HUF | 1,900 HUF |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
| 1,100 HUF | 1,400 HUF | 2,000 HUF |
Pack of beef
| 1,300 HUF | 2,000 HUF | 4,000 HUF |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
| 810 HUF | 970 HUF | 1,900 HUF |
Average car full tank
| 4,600 HUF | 6,200 HUF | 12,000 HUF |
Average car 1-day rental
| 4,300 HUF | 5,800 HUF | 8,600 HUF |
Average car price
| 2.2M HUF | 4.4M HUF | 5.9M HUF |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 6,000 HUF | 9,000 HUF | 18,000 HUF |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Individual
| 5,300 HUF | 38,000 HUF | 420,000 HUF |
Utility Bill - Couple
| 5,600 HUF | 41,000 HUF | 460,000 HUF |
Utility Bill - Family
| 10,000 HUF | 52,000 HUF | 520,000 HUF |
Internet and cable
| 4,800 HUF | 9,700 HUF | 13,000 HUF |
Mobile phone charges
| 3,200 HUF | 5,300 HUF | 16,000 HUF |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 2,100 HUF | 2,700 HUF | 4,100 HUF |
One month gym membership
| 7,600 HUF | 9,500 HUF | 19,000 HUF |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 5,700 HUF | 8,100 HUF | 12,000 HUF |
Woman dress
| 5,500 HUF | 7,600 HUF | 25,000 HUF |
Woman shoes
| 4,900 HUF | 6,600 HUF | 15,000 HUF |
Men's shoes
| 4,300 HUF | 5,300 HUF | 11,000 HUF |
Men suit
| 4,800 HUF | 6,100 HUF | 32,000 HUF |
Regular t-shirt
| 2,500 HUF | 3,300 HUF | 9,900 HUF |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 89,000 HUF | 130,000 HUF | 360,000 HUF |
1-bedroom apartment
| 140,000 HUF | 220,000 HUF | 550,000 HUF |
2-bedroom apartment
| 190,000 HUF | 280,000 HUF | 740,000 HUF |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
| $63,000 | $100,000 | $390,000 |
2-bedroom apartment
| 36M HUF | 110M HUF | 210M HUF |
| $97,000 | $290,000 | $580,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 91,000 HUF | 110,000 HUF | 150,000 HUF |
Double Bed
| 62,000 HUF | 94,000 HUF | 120,000 HUF |
Single Bed
| 56,000 HUF | 74,000 HUF | 96,000 HUF |
Living Room
| 110,000 HUF | 140,000 HUF | 490,000 HUF |
Dining Table
| 46,000 HUF | 61,000 HUF | 110,000 HUF |
Sofa or Couch
| 62,000 HUF | 85,000 HUF | 190,000 HUF |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 63,000 HUF | 94,000 HUF | 190,000 HUF |
Fridge or Freezer
| 57,000 HUF | 88,000 HUF | 120,000 HUF |
Washing Machine
| 69,000 HUF | 100,000 HUF | 180,000 HUF |
Stove or Cooker
| 66,000 HUF | 84,000 HUF | 110,000 HUF |
Mobile Phone
| 78,000 HUF | 94,000 HUF | 130,000 HUF |
Laptop or Computer
| 88,000 HUF | 110,000 HUF | 190,000 HUF |
Typical saving choices for people in Budapest
Where do people choose to put their savings?
| Saving Type | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Funds | 12% |
| Gold | 12% |
| Savings Accounts | 17% |
| Retirement Accounts | 10% |
| Cash Savings | 19% |
| Real Estate | 9% |
| Investment | 5% |
| Stocks | 5% |
| Bonds | 5% |
| Mutual Funds | 2% |
| Certificates of Deposit | 3% |
Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Budapest
What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Budapest and how much retirement savings are required?
Retirement age
The retirement age for most employees in is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.
Retirement planning and savings
There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.
The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 5x monthly salary at age 25 |
| 30 | 10x monthly salary at age 30 |
| 35 | 15x monthly salary at age 35 |
| 40 | 25x monthly salary at age 40 |
| 45 | 32x monthly salary at age 45 |
| 50 | 48x monthly salary at age 50 |
| 55 | 56x monthly salary at age 55 |
| 60 | 64x monthly salary at age 60 |
| 65 | 78x monthly salary at age 65 |
The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Budapest:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 1.8M HUF |
| 30 | 3.6M HUF |
| 35 | 6.5M HUF |
| 40 | 9.5M HUF |
| 45 | 13M HUF |
| 50 | 19M HUF |
| 55 | 23M HUF |
| 60 | 29M HUF |
| 65 | 33M HUF |
Retirement Income Distribution
We asked residents about their retirement income sources and below are the results.
| Source | % People |
|---|
| Pensions | 12% |
| Savings | 23% |
| Investments | 12% |
| Social Security | 7% |
| Annuities | 7% |
| Part-time Job | 13% |
| Real Estate | 18% |
| Dividends and Interest | 7% |
Retirement Monthly Expenses in Budapest 59,000 HUF
$160 | 530,000 HUF
$1,500 | 5.9M HUF
$16,000 |
Affordable living in Budapest
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Budapest?
Around 66% of surveyed residents think that living in Budapest is affordable with proper budgeting while 34% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Financial Literacy in
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy61%
We asked residents of whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 39% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 61% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether residents of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 30% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 70% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance30%
Easily manages finances70%
Emergency Funds
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes66%
No34%
Based on the survey, 34% of the people living in Budapest said that they don't have an emergency fund while 66% said that they do.
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Budapest
Percentage of people who are in debt
According to the survey, 24% of the people in Budapest have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 76% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.
Debt-to-income ratio in Budapest
Debt to income ratio
29%
20% to 38%
( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100
Interpretation
The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 29% of the people's monthly income in Budapest goes to debt settlement.
Debt levelsMonthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
| Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
|---|
| > 60% | 3% |
| 50% - 60% | 16% |
| 40% - 50% | 13% |
| 30% - 40% | 15% |
| 20% - 30% | 12% |
| 10% - 20% | 14% |
| 0% - 10% | 26% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Budapest pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 16% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 13% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 15% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 12% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.
Distribution by type of debt in Budapest
| Debt | % People |
|---|
| Real Estate Mortgage | 10% |
| Auto Loan | 18% |
| Student Loan | 4% |
| Credit Card | 28% |
| Personal Loan | 41% |
10% of debtors in Budapest confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 28% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 18% of people and personal loans rose at 41%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Budapest.
About credit score and debt managementManaging debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.
Good debt vs. Bad debt
Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.
Loan Affordability Index in Budapest
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.
Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.
| Frequency | % People |
|---|
| Never | 52% |
| Once a year | 23% |
| Twice a year | 12% |
| Three times a year | 9% |
| Four times a year | 4% |
Financial goals of people in Budapest
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Budapest, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.
| Financial Goal | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Fund | 8% |
| Debt Reduction | 39% |
| Retirement Savings | 9% |
| Education Funding | 7% |
| Homeownership | 18% |
| Investing | 7% |
| Travel or Lifestyle | 8% |
| Healthcare Expenses | 12% |
| Financial Independence | 6% |
Around 8% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 39% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 9% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 7% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 8% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 12% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Budapest
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Budapest
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 920 HUF | 1,800 HUF | 3,100 HUF |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Budapest is approximatly 1,800 HUF with meal cost ranging from 920 HUF to 3,100 HUF. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 3,200 HUF | 4,800 HUF | 9,600 HUF |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 3,200 HUF and 9,600 HUF with 4,800 HUF being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Budapest.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 6,200 HUF | 9,200 HUF | 37,000 HUF |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 6,200 HUF to 37,000 HUF with the average cost being 9,200 HUF for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Budapest.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
| 790 HUF | 1,300 HUF | 1,900 HUF |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Budapest is around 1,300 HUF. Price ranges between 790 HUF and 1,900 HUF depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Budapest is 770 HUF. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 960 HUF and the minimum being 640 HUF depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 610 HUF on average with 460 HUF and 920 HUF being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
| 1,100 HUF | 1,400 HUF | 2,000 HUF |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Budapest is between 1,100 HUF and 2,000 HUF depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 1,400 HUF.
Pack of beef price
| 1,300 HUF | 2,000 HUF | 4,000 HUF |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 2,000 HUF. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Budapest costs around 670 HUF on average with prices rangeing between 490 HUF and 940 HUF depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 190 HUF to 460 HUF. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 440 HUF on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Budapest is around 30%. This means that people spend 30% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 21% to 37% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group
A single person living alone spends approximately 110,000 HUF per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 15,000 HUF and 1.2M HUF depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 130,000 HUF per month. That number can be get as low as 21,000 HUF or a high as 1.2M HUF. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 40,000 HUF to 2M HUF with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.
Saving Challenges in Budapest
Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Budapest. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
| Reason | % People |
|---|
| Low Income | 5% |
| High Expenses | 8% |
| Debt and Loans | 15% |
| Lack of Budgeting Skills | 11% |
| Impulsive Spending | 11% |
| Financial Emergencies | 7% |
| Living the moment | 6% |
| Will do it later | 19% |
| Inflation | 12% |
| Social Pressure | 3% |
| Market Instability | 2% |
Around 5% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 15% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 11% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 19% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 12% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Budapest
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Budapest
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual
| 5,300 HUF | 38,000 HUF | 420,000 HUF |
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple
| 5,600 HUF | 41,000 HUF | 460,000 HUF |
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family
| 10,000 HUF | 52,000 HUF | 520,000 HUF |
Internet and cable cost
| 4,800 HUF | 9,700 HUF | 13,000 HUF |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 3,200 HUF | 5,300 HUF | 16,000 HUF |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Budapest ranges between 5,300 HUF and 420,000 HUF with average being 38,000 HUF, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 41,000 HUF with 5,600 HUF and 460,000 HUF being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 52,000 HUF. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 4,800 HUF to 13,000 HUF with 9,700 HUF being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 5,300 HUF but can range between 3,200 HUF and 16,000 HUF depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Budapest is around 7.1%. This means that people pay 7.1% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.5% to 12% depending on salary and location.
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Budapest
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Budapest
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 89,000 HUF | 130,000 HUF | 360,000 HUF |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 140,000 HUF | 220,000 HUF | 550,000 HUF |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 190,000 HUF | 280,000 HUF | 740,000 HUF |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 230,000 HUF | 380,000 HUF | 1M HUF |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 440,000 HUF | 1.1M HUF | 2.2M HUF |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 360,000 HUF | 530,000 HUF | 1.5M HUF |
House monthly rent cost
| 440,000 HUF | 1.1M HUF | 2.2M HUF |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 530,000 HUF | 1.3M HUF | 2.1M HUF |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Budapest ranges between 89,000 HUF and 360,000 HUF, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 140,000 HUF to 550,000 HUF. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 190,000 HUF and 740,000 HUF per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 230,000 HUF to 1M HUF. The average rent of a townhouse in Budapest is around 530,000 HUF while house rental costs can be as high as 1.1M HUF per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 530,000 HUF to 2.1M HUF per month.
Apartment and house prices in Budapest
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
| $63,000 | $100,000 | $390,000 |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 36M HUF | 110M HUF | 210M HUF |
| $97,000 | $290,000 | $580,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 120M HUF | 180M HUF | 550M HUF |
Townhouse price
| 160M HUF | 370M HUF | 1,400M HUF |
House price
| 190M HUF | 1,100M HUF | 1,600M HUF |
Villa price
| 230M HUF | 1,300M HUF | 1,900M HUF |
The average price of a studio apartment in Budapest can range from 19M HUF to 56M HUF depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 23M HUF to 140M HUF. A villa can cost you 1,300M HUF on average with prices ranging from 230M HUF to 1,900M HUF.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Budapest will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 52 | x151 monthly income | 280 |
Property prices in Budapest can be x151 to x280 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x151 multiples of the average monthly salary in Budapest.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Budapest is around 37%. This means that people pay 37% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 25% to 49% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
29% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 1,600 HUF | 16,000 HUF | 240,000 HUF |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Low-cost alternatives in Budapest
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options60%
Few low-cost options40%
Based on the survey, 60% of the people living in Budapest have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 40% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Cost of living comparison by city
#1 Debrecen
The average cost of living in Debrecen is 640,000 HUF, which is 19% less than the country average. Debrecen is ranked first in Hungary in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#2 Budapest
The average cost of living in Budapest is 790,000 HUF, which is same as the country average. Budapest is ranked second in Hungary in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
Published: March 16, 2024 Last Update: April 7, 2025
