Cost of Living in Hungary
The cost of living in Hungary is on a par or just below that of other European countries. The larger cities, particularly Budapest, are more expensive than countryside towns; however a general rule of thumb is that if you buy local you will spend less. That being said, Western brands are available and they are not exorbitantly expensive when compared to prices back home. Expats tend to earn higher salaries than their Hungarian counterparts, which affords them a better quality of life.
The 2012 Mercer Cost of Living Survey put Budapest at 142nd out of 214 countries.
Cost of living in Hungary chart (Based on Budapest, 2013)
|
Accommodation |
|
| Furnished two bedroom apartment | HUF 65,000 |
| Unfurnished two bedroom apartment | HUF 120,000 |
|
Shopping |
|
| Dozen eggs | HUF 550 |
| Milk (1 litre) | HUF 220 |
| Rice (1 kg) | HUF 300 |
| Loaf of white bread | HUF 180 |
| Chicken breasts (1kg) | HUF 1,445 |
| Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) | HUF 800 |
|
Eating out |
|
| Big Mac meal | HUF 1,400 |
| Coca Cola (500ml) | HUF 250 |
| Cappuccino | HUF 350 |
| Bottle of beer (local) | HUF 380 |
| Three course meal at a mid-range restaurant | HUF 8,000 |
|
Utilities/household (monthly) |
|
| Mobile call rate (per minute – mobile to mobile) | HUF 35 |
| Internet (Uncapped ADSL or cable – average per month) | HUF 4,500 |
| Basic utilities (Average per month for standard household) | HUF 50,000 |
|
Transportation |
|
|
Taxi rate/km |
HUF 240 |
| Bus fare in the city centre | HUF 350 |
| Gasoline (per litre) | HUF 420 |
