Cost of Living in Budapest

I have a question for native Hungarians as a student who just got an internship in Budapest, I always loved and was fascinated by its beauty and history, and I would like to know if I can live off 350000 HUF a month as a salary from the company. I'm good with money and not a bigger spender and I manage my budget carefully. if so please answer me honestly. Thank you very much in advance.

Could a single retired person live well on 2500 EUR netto in Budapest?
Or other cities in Hungary?
Is teaching English classes a possibility?

What will be salary/month for 10 years experienced technicians in Budapest - Electricians, Plumbers, Masons, Labors? Also for engineers - civil, mechanical, electrical.

How much monthly salary should be to live in budapest for 4 member of family including all expenses.

How much would be the perfect salary for family with 3 children in Budapest??? considering all the 3 children will go to international school..
How much is the school , house other expenses??

Can anyone guide me on this please?

thanks

What % of people speak English overall? And also what % speak English outside of cities?

Thank you, I am grateful for any replies.

The apartment prices are totally out-of-date, not even close to current prices. Renting a 1 room apartment in the city center starts at 300k HUF.

This data is completely outdated. You guys should know that companies are using your data to justify salaries and the numbers you are showing here are completely misleading. Very irresponsible to state "Last update: June 2022" when I could guarantee with receipts that those prices don't exist. Imported beer 800.00 Ft in a restaurant! you must me joking! Please let me know which restaurant doesn't charge you more than 1500 Ft nowadays for a beer and I will be their most recurrent customer.

Hi, guys is a 16 million HUF/month gross a good salary in Budapest for 7+ years of experience moving from India?

You will not earn 16 million in Hungary.
maybe 1,6 million which is very good, I only see thet chance to it if you are a consultant or programmer.

Consumer Prices in Budapest are 40.01% higher than in Antalya (without rent)
Consumer Prices Including Rent in Budapest are 54.65% higher than in Antalya
Rent Prices in Budapest are 133.54% higher than in Antalya
Restaurant Prices in Budapest are 112.77% higher than in Antalya
Groceries Prices in Budapest are 68.96% higher than in Antalya

Hi guys is 16HUF/month gross a good salary in budapest for 7+ years experience moving from India ?

@PurplePeopleEater
500k gross or net? I live on about 460k net a month and it's perfectly comfortable. I spend about 175k on a nice one bedroom including utilities on the buda side, close to mom park. Granted, that's not considered downtown, but many downtown areas have cheaper housing than the greener buda side. I do cook a lot myself, but I don't buy the cheapest groceries; lots of fresh vegetables, plant-based milk, nuts, conrflakes, nice chocolate, that kind of stuff. Basically, I buy whatever I feel like. And I go out for a coffee/dinner/beers about once a week.
Sure, you can't buy clothing from fancier brands on a regular basis. But if you just want to have a good appartment, go out moderately and not worry too much about your groceries, 500k net is very doable in Budapest.

@UrbanNomad : Don't get me wrong, I didn't say there wasn't criminality, I said tho that, especially when you are French, finding BP dangerous is just ridiculous ! Behave normally and cautiously, and nothing should happen, which is not all the time the case when being in big cities at home (Paris/Marseille/Lyon just to name a few).

Rent in Bp is very expensive, the prices went up a lot in the last 5 years and salaries are not following that. Also HUF went down by about 20% (to EUR) in the last 3 years which resulted in increased prices of almost everything. And again, salaries do not follow that high inflation rate.

It's funny what frogs are telling about Budapest: probably they don't come from one of the many and dangerous banlieues of French cities, those places where Algerians and Africans beat the police when they are angry, I mean. Allez vous faire enculer avec vos mesonges!

500k HUF/month/person is NOT enough for a decent living in downtown Budapest. Definitely not. Only the costs of a nice downtown apartment would take most of the budget.

As a French person myself, I'd love to know where the French guy from 01.01.21 comes from, so I can have a good laugh, probably from la Creuse or Meuse, in a 50 ppl village to find Budapest dangerous !

This is simply a lie. Tho, you'll not be welcome in here if you behave shadily (shouting late in the evening for no reason, breaking stuff etc), which actually makes sense but some tourists tend to forget about it. It's holidays for you, it's home for others.

As for people saying you need 800k net to live in Budapest, I'd love to have a break down of their expenses. Even spending your food budget at Culinaris and have an expat-built flat, you will not even come close to this number. 500k is more than comfortable to live in the city center.

Budapest is one of the most livable cities in Europe. The city has splendid architecture and refined culture. If you like to eat out and spend some time with your friends at a bar, it is affordable to do so in comparison with other European capitals. Plus, the Danube and the plenty of parks and forests offer a sense of connection to nature. How many cities do you know with a green island-oasis, like Margrit Island in the middle of a river? So, all in all, Budapest is rich in culture, safe, and Hungarians are decent people in general. If you want to find faults, you can find them everywhere as there is no perfect country. In the financial aspect, if you are employed in Hungary, you may not earn as much as you would in Nothern European countries. Yet, the cost of living is also relatively much lower than in those countries.

Also, BP is far from my favorite city, but these comparisons with Tunis and France gave me a good laugh. Yes, everywhere is safe during the day, but you should avoid the shadiest areas at night (they are not in the city center).
Definitely safer than West EU cities. Also, there is practically no gun violence, the french guy much have been high as a kite and confused them with fireworks or something.

How much salary will be better to live a good life in budapest. My employer offered me 1200k as a monthly out of which 66% will be my take home.

If you spend 2000 euros on renting an apartment, that must be a very luxurious one. I was renting 2 apartments in the 11th district (both around 40 sqm, 1 bedroom, 1 kitchen, 1 bathroom, with small entry hallway, excellent conditions) for 130k and 160k each (unfurnished and furnished, with all bills covered). They were close (1 busstop away) to Allee shopping centre and the M4 metro, a 100m away from the #4 and #6 trams. My food expenses were around 60k, but i don't go to restaurants a lot (aside from fast food), so no luxury eating.
We are now at 220k. Add 10k for the monthly pass for public transport. I did this on a 300k ft salary. No car. Single guy.
Even if i bump the numbers up to, let's say, 250k for the apartment, and 100k for the food, that's still well under the 500k ft (around 1400 euros) most people ask of here (unless ofc you're used to top luxury, which i'm not lol).
True, the closer you get to the heart of the city, and the more luxurious and less cheap the apartments get. But i still had leftover money to go to bars, concerts, do sports, ect.
The numbers on this site are fairly accurate.
As for safety: relatively safe, with a few places you should not go late at night (like Hős street, avoid even during the day :'D). But avoiding run-down places is generally a good idea, not a unique problem IMO.

Source: me, a born-and-raised resident of budapest.

Sharing your name and work place isn't a wise thing to do especially here.

My wife and I visited Budapest May 2018.We planned on staying two months but we left after five days.Compared to the UK it's very primitive we were told by our friends in the UK.Just the same we wanted to see for ourselves and our friends were right.So we ventured onward to Tunis,Tunisia which was like night and day overall compared to Budapest in every way. Medical care is top knotch in Tunis and cheap extremely clean and safe modern roads infrastructure and a good command for the English language.We purchased a beautiful spacious summer home in Tunis for a measly 32,000 pounds while there.

Anyone claiming that rent is on average 2000 euro per month is nothing but mentally retarded. It's so out of touch with reality that it's incredible that any can even consider putting those words on the internet.

I'm opening a strip club 2021 in Budapest I'm naming it BOOTYPEST.

Hi Anonymous

I've lived in Budapest for 21 years now but I'm originally from Hampshire.€1300 would've been more than enough 10 years ago for all expenses including rent but not anymore.Fortunately I bought my house many years ago cheap in Budapest.€1300 would get you an efficiency unfurnished apartment quite far from downtown Budapest.Apartments average €2000 and up for a one bedroom apartment within 6km of the metro unfurnished.When I say unfurnished it's really unfurnished. A stove and refrigerator will be needed too which is normal.In answer to your question about €1300 being enough for two people to live the answer is NO.Thats not enough for one person,honestly.

France is much safer than Budapest always has been for this reason.Large unknown groups of people circulate throughout Budapest the majority unchecked. Security looking the other way only requires a small amount of money People run rapid.Notice how few locals are out at night on foot or driving.Theres a very good reason for that it's unsafe. I've never met anyone who could outrun a bullet but gunfire is normal especially at night.

800,000 huf net minimum for a single person would cover all expenses depending upon lifestyle but 950,000 huf net each month would be much better. If you wanted to live an hour out of Budapest 546,000 net each month would allow you to scrape by barely.The numbers here aren't correct,I've lived in Budapest 5 years so I know.

None of costs listed here are accurate from food, entertainment rentals or even monthly salaries. Bump salaries 30% lower,food costs 25% higher, entertainment 50% higher depending upon the venue.Utilities should be 40% more.
I'm from Budapest and I know the costs of things.The only things that are accurate here are transportation via busses or taxies,and internet costs each month.Anyone can post anything online,however it's much different when one needs to budget for daily expenses as I do.

Hi guys,

I am planning to move to Budapest with my wife and two daughters (2 and 5 y.o).
I'm trying to calculate if the salary around 2700 euro (net) would be enough to live comfortably.
Including house bills, grocery, entertainment, rent apartment, driving on the weekends, Preschool/Kindergarten for children and medicine, holidays, etc

Thanks

I am planning to move to Budapest with wife and 9 years daughter. Let me know cost of leaving and howmuch salary I need so that i can accomadate daughter school and all other daily grosary and etc...end of the month i want save few mone

@Pawan Kohli - hope this helps!

- https://www.profession.hu/en
- https://www.cvonline.hu/en
- https://dreamjo.bs/en
- https://www.workania.hu/en/
- https://jobline.hu/

We are a family of three (me, hubby and our pre teen) I’d say to live in a decent area Rose Hill in a decent space 90sqm. We dont drive just either public transport or taxi and still have the freedom to live comfortably- monthly running cost is about 1.4M all in rent, grocery, entertainment, school fees and house bills but does not include holiday budget or Christmas pressies

That average salary is NOT what a teacher, nurse, doctor or fire fighter gets...

The salary is real what is here on numbeo. Hungarian poeople in average can earn around this 250.000 Huf. This is usually start from 130.000 Huf to 350.000 Huf but the most hungarian people can earn under 300k. If you are from abroud or you have higher position or you are leader you can earn more. There are some professsion what can pay you over 400 but is not typical. So average hungarian people can earn from 130-350 so average net 220-270. It means the data is correct net 250.000.

OK guys,

So you consider this thread updated for 2020, whereas you do not take care of your data at all..

Anyways I tried to dig out the latest data regarding the salaries for Budapest.

These are official data from the Statistical Office for Q1-Q3 in 2019, you can see the regional figures here. (Since, there is a general salary hike in the country and the CEE region, this will be higher for the whole year.)

https://www.ksh.hu/docs/hun/xstadat/xstadat_evkozi/e_qli029b.html

So average gross salary was around 450 000 HUF in Budapest in the aforementioned period. In net terms:300 000 HUF. Quite a difference..

George, you may survive from that money, even two of you. Not super convenient, but manageable. If you want comfortable life, then also your partner should get a job.

Well no,It is a little bit lower actually,thats what you get from this shithole. If you dont believe it than come and see

2000 USDis quite enogh to live and additionale save money in Budapest But here in Budapest salaries are definitely lower Dont believe anyone you can get such high money per mounth in Budapest if you are not high qualified specialist Basic selary in Butapest is in the range of 500-600 USD.If you are planning to come and work in Central Europe you should consider Prague or Warsaw

Hi guys I have offered a job with 2680 euro gross, we are a couple with a child that is about 6 month, Does this salary is the good one and we are able to cover expenses?

Dear all,

After 2yrs of living in Budapest- i can share you some basic things I figured. We are a family of 3.

We live in the Buda side- 2nd District

Property type: 2bedroom, 1 kitchen dining, living room, bath, toilet, 95sqm flat in an old but
Maintained building, double glazed not carpeted

For the common cost: 24,500

Electric: (summer-no AC with occasional use of 2blowers) average of 15,000
Electric During winter: 18,000
•we have 2 fridge freezer and the normal appliances constantly running; washing machine, electric hob /oven, microwave, toaster, kettle, dishwasher etc.

Gas (summer) average 7,000
Winter: 22,000
We run hot water all year and during winter it heating is on all day maintaining a room temperature of 21degrees

Monthly pass for 2 adults: 9,500 each (19,000 both)
1child month pass: 3,450

UPC family bundle 300mbps w/ tv and landline: 9,990 mo ty

Grocery: this varies depends on what I obviously cook or prepare. Ours is between 280-380k in a month. We are a mix household and I cater for 2picky eater! My main diet is seafood (thus increases the budget a lot) i order from a supplier with an average cost of 18,000 weekly spent on seafood alone. Hubby loves red meat and daughter is in between. This also includes things such laundry and cleaning materials etc and other household stuff

Eating out: again varies every month. Range from 60-80k in a month

Recreational: we dont have any gym membership or such but we do go out to see movie, concerts, circus, exhibitions regularly. This can be between 50-100k a month depends what you want to watch or see

School: our daughter is bilingual. She attends a bilingual program and it cost just about 800,000 in a year or a monthly instalment for 90k extra on her tuition alone. This is A LOT cheaper than international schools that can cost as little as 1.8m to 7m in a year! This does not included school meal of which is approx 12,000 a month, class money 20,000 in a year, field trips 80,000 a year etc

Extras: for 2hour violin lesson cost us 12,000
Private tutoring per hour 3,500 (math, Hungarian)

Holidays: we go for 3holidays in a year during summer break, autumn break and winter break

I do not work in Budapest but has an income from abroad. I was offered a job here but turned it down coz wage was a joke! 350k net for a full time in Finance sector and was an insult when got an offer in education sector for 180,00”net. It would cost me more to hire somebody to look after our daughter and run the household with our crazy routine and schedules. Hubby works in aviation and we can’t complain with how much they give as a wage.

Point is: depends on your lifestyle and cost will change. If we would eat salami everyday and kifli then we would save loads but we are quite happy how we live here compare to the pressure we had back when living in London.

I know families of 3 that lives on a 380k a month but they are a proper Hungarian household that eats only if not mainly Hungarian diet. That is good for them but for us it won’t work.

#Developer

one small flat with utility rate + 2 monthly ticket for publick transport is around 200k.
the food price in supermarkat is little bit cheaper or similar like wet EU. If you are cooking it can be stop 100-150k. So you can alive :)

@Rachel: the costs of an international private school varies greatly, so no estimation on that, but its expensive (minimum 300-500 per child per month, but can be much more). Also I don't know if you plan to rent or buy, but renting a 2-3 bedroom flat will be above 700 euro minimum with bills(in an old block flat). Check out( https://realestatehungary.hu/ ). Personally I wouldn't even think about Budapest in your case with a monthly net salary below 3000 EUR (1.000.000 HUF after tax). For taxes check ( https://www.humancentrum.hu/wage-calculator )

To "#Anonymous on Jul 26, 2019":
Rent prices have increased a lot since 8 years. Also HUF lost a lot to EUR (sitting around 330 HUF/EUR). Regarding the job it really depends on you area of expertise. For example with junior IT jobs its not uncommon to get 350k HUF after taxes, but I'm not familiar with other jobs. For a start you could check https://www.profession.hu/ for job search. It is used here in Hungary. Also LinkedIn is popular, so you can get up to relevant job offerings there. Also you can check Hays salary guide 2019:
https://www.hays.hu/cs/groups/hays_common/@hu/@content/documents/digitalasset/hays_2396534.pdf
The estimations are a bit high (10-20 percent depending on different areas) but the relation to of wages to each other are fair. Hope it was helpful!

How much is the cost of staying in Budapest for 15days on tourist visit

Hi All,

To answer the recent questions about the living costs in Hungary: it really depends on your needs. If you live prudently, Budapest is a very cheap city despite the increasing rent prices. but if you want to enjoy the bars, restaurants and various programmes, want to eat healthily and so on, you will need more money. Expect good places to rent above 500EUR plus costs. Apart from that 500Eur per person should cover any basic needs. Of course if you want to enjoy the city to its full you'll need a higher salary. A gross salary of ~12 mil a year will allow you a fantastic life here.