Cost of Living in Hungary 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Hungary is the Hungarian forint (HUF).
Monthly Living Costs in Hungary
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €821 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €1,017 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Hungary Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 61.4 |
| Rent index | 14.1 |
| Groceries index | 45.4 |
| Restaurant price index | 44.7 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 78.4 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 48 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 12.8 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Hungary from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Finance | €28,000 |
| Engineering | €24,000 |
| IT & Software | €22,000 |
| Construction | €17,000 |
| Education | €13,500 |
| Healthcare | €12,000 |
| Hospitality | €11,000 |
| Retail | €10,500 |
Taxes in Hungary
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 15.8% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €5,613 |
| VAT / sales tax | 27% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 15% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €5,613 per month. After rent and essentials (€821), roughly €4,792 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Hungary Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hungary | €530 | €171 | €25 | 61.4 |
| Austria | €879 | €347 | €60 | 83.8 |
| Croatia | €635 | €235 | €40 | 57.5 |
| Romania | €432 | €162 | €45 | 45.6 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Hungary:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 20 residence and visa routes for Hungary — see the full Hungary visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €3,000 per month — White Card – residency for digital nomads (digital nomad route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €665 per month to sustain a move to Hungary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hungary expensive?
Hungary has a cost-of-living index of 61.4 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €530 per month and a single person spends about €821 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Hungary?
About €821 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €1,017 per month.
What is the average rent in Hungary?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €530 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €650 per month in Hungary. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Hungary?
Typical gross annual salaries in Hungary range from €10,500 (Retail) to €28,000 (Finance), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Hungary?
Among the 20 Hungary residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €3,000 per month (White Card – residency for digital nomads). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Hungary country profile and the Hungary emigration guide.
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