Budapest, Hungary

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Cost of living in Budapest

Real monthly costs in Budapest, Hungary — USD, from the same data behind the Pro model.

Photo: Visions of Domino, CC BY 2.0.

Budapest is the most expensive of Hungary's 2 priced cities — $1,345 a month in essentials, 19% above Debrecen at $1,128. The average net salary of $1,743 covers that 1.3×. 101.9 men per 100 women aged 20–39, measured at county level. PM2.5 averages 15 µg/m³ a year, 3× the WHO guideline of 5. Jan averages 1°C, Jul 23°C.

Essentials / mo$1,345rent + bills + food + transit
Men per 100 women101.9ages 20–39, county level
Avg net salary$1,743monthly, after tax
Safety score66/100higher = safer

Monthly cost breakdown

Rent outside centre plus utilities, groceries, dining and local transport make up the essentials figure. Not a full lifestyle budget.

ItemMonthly USD
Rent, 1-bed outside centre$663
Rent, 1-bed city centre$868
Groceries$137
Dining out$315
Utilities$202
Local transport$28
Essentials / mo$1,345
Avg net salary$1,743
Rent, 3-bed outside centre$1,273
Rent, 3-bed city centre$1,676

Single person, USD. Data updated July 27, 2026.

Everyday prices

What single items cost in Budapest, in USD. The monthly figures above are built from these.

Eating out

ItemUSD
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$14.21
Meal for 2, mid-range, three courses$67.95
McMeal at McDonald's$11.06
Cappuccino, regular$3.47
Domestic beer, 0.5 L draught$3.79
Imported beer, 0.33 L bottle$3.79
Coke/Pepsi, 0.33 L$2.09
Water, 0.33 L bottle$1.97

Groceries

ItemUSD
Milk, 1 L$1.27
White bread, 500 g$1.84
White rice, 1 kg$2.58
Eggs, 12$3.98
Local cheese, 1 kg$12.07
Chicken fillets, 1 kg$7.05
Apples, 1 kg$2.10
Bananas, 1 kg$2.20
Tomatoes, 1 kg$3.82
Potatoes, 1 kg$1.10
Onions, 1 kg$1.10
Water, 1.5 L bottle$0.65

Transport & bills

ItemUSD
One-way ticket, local transport$1.58
Monthly transit pass$28.45
Taxi start$3.48
Taxi, 1 km$1.39
Gasoline, 1 L$1.88
Basic utilities, 85 m² flat$177.85
Internet, 60 Mbps+$24.39
Mobile plan, monthly$25.32

Leisure

ItemUSD
Gym, monthly$72.63
Cinema, one seat$9.48

Dating-age sex ratio

Budapest has 101.9 men per 100 women aged 20–39 (county level). That is the lowest of the 8 Hungary cities we track. Hungary's national figure is 106.6, so Budapest runs 5 below the country as a whole.

A supply figure, 20–39. The dating-pool model is in Pro.

Climate & air

Ten-year monthly means, 2015–2024 — a climate profile, not a forecast.

Air qualityPM2.5 15µg/m³, annual mean
Warmest month23°CJul
Coolest month1°CJan
Wettest month73 mmSep
MonthAvgFeelsHumidityCloudRain
Jan0.9°C-3°C83%66%41 mm
Feb4.2°C0.5°C77%63%40 mm
Mar7.2°C3.8°C66%56%37 mm
Apr11.9°C9.1°C62%56%41 mm
May16.5°C15.3°C69%62%69 mm
Jun21.6°C22.2°C67%54%71 mm
Jul23.1°C23.7°C63%48%58 mm
Aug23°C23.8°C66%47%54 mm
Sep17.7°C17°C71%51%73 mm
Oct11.9°C10.1°C80%58%59 mm
Nov6.3°C3.5°C86%69%51 mm
Dec2.4°C-1.1°C87%72%45 mm

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