Capital city, Hungary
Cost of living in Budapest
How much a month costs in Budapest
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $2,440–3,660 (Ft800,000–1.2M).
Prices in Budapest
Typical 2026 ranges in HUF, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | HUF | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | Ft350,000–550,000 | $1,070–1,680 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | Ft250,000–380,000 | $763–1,160 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | Ft6,000–12,000 | $18–37 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | Ft30,000–60,000 | $92–183 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | Ft3,500–5,500 | $10.7–16.8 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | Ft8,000–14,000 | $24–43 |
| Cappuccino | Ft1,300–2,000 | $4.0–6.1 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | Ft1,000–1,800 | $3.1–5.5 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | Ft450–500 | $1.4–1.5 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | Ft2,500–4,500 | $7.6–13.7 |
| Work and life | ||
| Coworking day pass | Ft6,000–12,000 | $18–37 |
| Gym membership (month) | Ft18,000–30,000 | $55–92 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | Ft3,000–8,000 | $9–24 |
Value for money: 20/100
A value score of 20/100 means Budapest gives more quality of life per dollar than 19% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 72/100. It's the 4th most affordable of 4 places we cover in Hungary.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Hungary
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Pécs | $1,590–2,440 | 51/100 |
| Eger | $1,680–2,600 | 46/100 |
| Lake Balaton | $1,980–3,050 | 31/100 |
| Budapest | $2,440–3,660 | 20/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Budapest
Similar safety, lower cost, in Europe.
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Budapest?
About $1,370–1,830 on a lean budget, $2,440–3,660 for a comfortable month and $4,890–7,940 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Budapest?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs Ft350,000–550,000 ($1,070–1,680) a month in the center and Ft250,000–380,000 ($763–1,160) outside it.
How much does food cost in Budapest?
A local meal is Ft3,500–5,500 ($10.7–16.8); a mid-range restaurant is Ft8,000–14,000 ($24–43) per person.
Is Hungary expensive?
Prices in Hungary are about 52% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Budapest
Going to Budapest solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Budapest meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Budapest transport (BKK)
- Budapest Airport
- Budapest tourism
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.