Monthly Expenses in Hungary 2025

Complete Guide to Cost of Living in Budapest & Beyond

Understanding Hungarian Living Costs

Hungary offers one of Europe's most affordable lifestyles, with living costs approximately 40% lower than the EU average. While Budapest remains the most expensive city, it's still significantly cheaper than Western European capitals. Monthly expenses vary considerably based on location, lifestyle choices, and accommodation type.

Hungary's cost of living is 87% lower than in the USA and 71% lower than in the UK. Only Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania have more affordable prices among EU countries. This guide breaks down monthly expenses across all categories to help you budget effectively.

Housing & Accommodation

Rent Prices

Housing represents the largest portion of monthly expenses in Hungary. Budapest commands premium prices, while cities like Debrecen and Pécs offer more affordable options:

Accommodation Type	Budapest	Debrecen	Pécs
Private Room (Shared Flat)	€250-400/month	€150-400/month	€200-400/month

Services

Monthly utility costs in Hungary are among the lowest in Europe:

Service	Budpest	Debrecen	Pecs
Monthly Transport Pass (Non-Student)	9,500 Ft	8,000 Ft	4,000 Ft
Monthly Transport Pass (Student)	3,500 Ft	5,500 Ft	2,000 Ft
Mobile Data (1 GB)	1,290 Ft	1,290 Ft	1,290 Ft
Mobile Data (Unlimited)	6,500 Ft	6,500 Ft	6,500 Ft

Daily Living Expenses

Food & Groceries

Hungary experienced high food inflation in 2023 (45% vs EU average of 19.6%) but prices have stabilized in 2025. A single person spends approximately 75,000 Ft monthly on groceries:

Item	Price	Item	Price
Milk (1 liter)	437 Ft	Loaf of Bread	581 Ft
Chicken Fillets (1kg)	2,157 Ft	Beef Round (1kg)	4,525 Ft
Eggs (12)	1,070 Ft	Local Cheese (1kg)	3,520 Ft
Apples (1kg)	669 Ft	Wheat (1kg)	400 Ft
Potatoes (1kg)	409 Ft	Rice (1kg)	1,000 Ft