Skyline of Budapest
Cost of Living: 110 1,752,286

Budapest, Hungary

The Pearl of the Danube, a stunning capital with Art Nouveau architecture, thermal baths, a vibrant ruin bar scene, and one of Europe's most beautiful parliament buildings.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Budapest is a city in Budapest with a population of 1,752,286. The Pearl of the Danube, a stunning capital with Art Nouveau architecture, thermal baths, a vibrant ruin bar scene, and one of Europe’s most beautiful parliament buildings. Housing is notably more expensive than the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 110

Above Average vs Hungary Avg (100)

Housing Index 130

Above Average

Median Income Ft 5,400,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.5%

Job market health

Budapest vs Hungary Average

Cost of Living
Budapest: 110
Hungary Avg: 100
Housing Index
Budapest: 130
Hungary Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Budapest: 15%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 15.0%
  • Sales Tax: 27.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: Ft 5,400,000
  • Unemployment: 3.5%
  • Population: 1,752,286

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 195/year
  • Summer High: 81°F
  • Winter Low: 26°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: Ft80,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: Ft350000/mo

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Cost of Living

Budapest's cost of living index is 110 (Hungary average = 100).

CategoryBudapestNational AverageDifference
Overall110100+10.0%
Housing130100+30.0%

Data source: KSH / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceFt80,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)Ft350000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)Ft437,500/mo
Price per Sq FtFt53,333

Data source: Ingatlan.com / Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

Ft
%
$90,000 down
%
%
Ft

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Budapest:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityFt15000
Heating & CoolingFt13881Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterFt5000Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)Ft5000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashFt2000Private service
Total UtilitiesFt40881Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: MEKH, MVM, Magyar Telekom 2025

Remote Work Score

Budapest scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
110
Rent
Ft350000
Sunny Days
195
Tax
15%
Unemployment
3.5%
Climate
81°F / 26°F
Safety
0.7 homicides/100k
Population
1,752,286
Internet Speed
120 Mbps

Climate

Budapest has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January46°F26°F2.5"
April66°F41°F2.8"
July81°F56°F1.5"
October61°F44°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Budapest faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave High Risk

Summer heat waves.

Flood Moderate Risk

Danube River flooding.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Winter storms.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Occasional tornadoes.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 15%
  • Sales Tax: 27%
  • Property Tax: ~0.3% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Budapest per 100,000 residents:

7.6
Violent Crime
629.6
Property Crime
0.7
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Sep-Jan), Spring (Feb-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (11 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Easter week (1 week)

Autumn break in October/November (1 week).

Universities & Higher Education

8
Universities
#988
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Budapest is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Hungarian
85.0%
Other
12.0%
Roma
3.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
35.0%
High school graduate
30.0%
Less than high school
15.0%
Some college
20.0%

Religion

Christian (Catholic)
39.0%
Christian (Protestant)
13.0%
Other
8.0%
Unaffiliated
40.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Hungarian Central Statistical Office (2022)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Budapest, Hungary?

The cost of living index in Budapest is 110, which is Higher the Hungary national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Budapest?

The median home price in Budapest is Ft80,000,000. The housing index is 130.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Budapest is approximately Ft350000/mo.

Does Budapest, BU have income tax?

Budapest is in BU, which has an income tax rate of 15%.

What is the climate like in Budapest?

Budapest enjoys approximately 195 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 81°F, while winter lows can drop to around 26°F.

Relocation Guides

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: KSH / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Ingatlan.com / Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: KSH Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities MEKH, MVM, Magyar Telekom 2025

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.