Skyline of Szombathely
Cost of Living: 78 78,884

Szombathely, Hungary

Hungary's oldest recorded city, founded by the Romans as Savaria, with well-preserved Roman ruins, a charming main square, and a vibrant cultural scene.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Szombathely is a city in Vas with a population of 78,884. Hungary’s oldest recorded city, founded by the Romans as Savaria, with well-preserved Roman ruins, a charming main square, and a vibrant cultural scene. Housing is more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living is below 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 78

Below Average vs Hungary Avg (100)

Housing Index 75

Affordable

Median Income Ft 3,000,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.0%

Job market health

Szombathely vs Hungary Average

Cost of Living
Szombathely: 78
Hungary Avg: 100
Housing Index
Szombathely: 75
Hungary Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Szombathely: 15%

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: Ft 3,000,000
  • Unemployment: 4.0%
  • Population: 78,884

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 195/year
  • Summer High: 79°F
  • Winter Low: 26°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: Ft28,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: Ft160000/mo

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Cost of Living

Szombathely's cost of living index is 78 (Hungary average = 100).

CategorySzombathelyNational AverageDifference
Overall78100-22.0%
Housing75100-25.0%

Data source: KSH / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceFt28,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)Ft160000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)Ft200,000/mo
Price per Sq FtFt18,666

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 Szombathely:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityFt15000
Heating & CoolingFt14460Estimated 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 UtilitiesFt41460Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: MEKH, MVM, Magyar Telekom 2025

Remote Work Score

Szombathely scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
78
Rent
Ft160000
Sunny Days
195
Tax
15%
Unemployment
4.0%
Climate
79°F / 26°F
Safety
0.7 homicides/100k
Population
78,884
Internet Speed
120 Mbps

Climate

Szombathely has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January46°F26°F2.5"
April64°F41°F2.8"
July79°F54°F1.5"
October59°F44°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Szombathely faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding along Danube and Tisza.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Hungary experiences occasional tornadoes.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Hungary experiences winter storms.

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 4.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Szombathely 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).

Demographics

The population of Szombathely 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 Szombathely, Hungary?

The cost of living index in Szombathely is 78, which is Lower the Hungary national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Szombathely is Ft28,000,000. The housing index is 75.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Szombathely is approximately Ft160000/mo.

Does Szombathely, VA have income tax?

Szombathely is in VA, which has an income tax rate of 15%.

What is the climate like in Szombathely?

Szombathely enjoys approximately 195 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 79°F, while winter lows can drop to around 26°F.

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.