Cost of Living, Prices and Salaries in Hungary

That said, prices in Hungary are far from as high as in some neighboring countries. For example, a coffee with a pastry at a cafe here can cost 3-4 times less than in Vienna, the Austrian capital. And that's despite the fact that the price growth for groceries that took place in 2022 was the highest in Europe in Hungary.

Prices in Hungary will be given in Hungarian forints (HUF). In September 2023, 1 forint was worth approximately 0.27 Russian rubles. 1 EUR was worth approximately HUF 380.

Food and drink prices

For 1 EUR, that is a little over HUF 300 (a bit over 100 rubles), in Hungary you can buy:

• 100 grams of cheese, sausage, peanuts, dried apricots or raisins;
• 1 kg of potatoes, peppers, cabbage, carrots or radishes.

The cost in Hungary of the most in-demand products is roughly as follows:

• milk - HUF 190-250 per liter (no more than 67 rubles);
• white bread - HUF 140-200 for a 0.5 kg loaf (no more than 55 rubles);
• eggs - HUF 400-540 for 12 (no more than 150 rubles);
• tomatoes - HUF 300-500 per kg (no more than 130 rubles);
• apples - HUF 200-330 per kg (no more than 90 rubles);
• cheese - HUF 1,300-2,000 per kg (no more than 540 rubles);
• rice - HUF 200-320 per kg (no more than 90 rubles);
• chicken fillet - HUF 1,300-1,600 per kg (no more than 430 rubles);
• local wine - HUF 700-1,500 per bottle (no more than 400 rubles);
• local beer - HUF 185-250 per 0.5 L bottle (no more than 70 rubles);
• imported beer - HUF 220-350 per 0.33 L bottle (no more than 95 rubles).

If you prefer eating at restaurants, at an inexpensive establishment a main course will cost HUF 800 to 2,000 (no more than 540 rubles). At restaurants in central Budapest, dinner or lunch with wine for one will cost around HUF 4,000 (about 1,100 rubles).

Housing and utilities

The most expensive housing is in Budapest. Buying a 100 sq m apartment will cost a foreign buyer from HUF 28 to 40 million (up to 11 million rubles). If you rent housing in the central part of the city, prices in Hungary will be as follows:

• one bedroom - HUF 45,000 to 80,000 a month (about 22,000 rubles);
• three bedrooms - HUF 80,000-150,000 a month (about 40,000 rubles).

A three-room apartment in a village or small town near Lake Balaton can be rented for HUF 55,000-60,000 a month (about 16,000 rubles).

The cost of utility services depends on the season. For example, the owner of an 85 sq m apartment will pay roughly HUF 40,000-60,000 (10,000 to 16,000 rubles) for water, electricity, heating and garbage collection.

A minute of mobile phone calls will cost HUF 30-45. Unlimited 6 Mbit internet costs from HUF 2,700 to 5,000 a month (about 1,000 rubles).

Transport

A single-ride ticket on local transport in Budapest costs HUF 350, or about 1 EUR. In other cities, a public-transport ride costs about the same or slightly less. A monthly pass costs about HUF 13,500 (about 4,000 rubles).

A taxi flag-down fee is about HUF 350-450, but in central Budapest this amount can double. Per kilometer you'll pay HUF 250-280 (on average 100 rubles for the flag-down fee plus about 70 rubles per kilometer).

If you want to travel from one city to another by bus or train, for a roughly 2-hour trip be prepared to pay HUF 2,700 to 3,300 (about 1,000 rubles).

Clothing and shoes

The cost of clothing and shoes in Hungary, of course, depends on which segment they belong to - economy, mid-range or luxury. But you can use the following approximate prices as a guide:

• a summer dress - HUF 7,000 to 12,000 (up to 3,200 rubles);
• jeans from the famous Levi's brand - HUF 15,000 to 22,000 (up to 6,000 rubles);
• Nike sneakers - HUF 15,000-25,000 (up to 7,000 rubles);
• leather shoes - HUF 15,000-25,000 (up to 7,000 rubles).

Sport, leisure, entertainment

Hungary has free museums, and concerts you can attend for free are also fairly common. The cheapest theater tickets cost about HUF 2,000 (about 550 rubles). You can attend a concert by a popular rock or pop group for HUF 10,000 (a bit under 3,000 rubles).

A few more entertainment and sport prices:

• a movie ticket - HUF 1,300 to 1,600 (no more than 100 rubles);
• an hour of court time at a tennis club - HUF 2,000 to 3,000 (no more than 1,000 rubles);
• a monthly gym membership, one session a week - HUF 7,000 to 12,000 (no more than 3,000 rubles).

Healthcare

Emergency care is free for everyone. There is also a health-insurance system covering 100% of the population. For certain categories of Hungarian citizens, many medical services are free. These are:

• children under 16;
• university students;
• pensioners;
• people with disabilities.

Budapest is one of the world capitals of "medical tourism." Services here are provided at a high level, and prices are comparatively low. Dentistry is especially popular with visitors. For example: prices in Hungary for enamel cleaning are about HUF 8,000 (about 2,500 rubles). A new dental crown can be fitted for HUF 62,000-93,000 (no more than 25,000 rubles).

Education

The cost of education depends on the university, field of study and a number of other factors. On average it ranges from HUF 775,000 to 1.24 million a year (200,000-350,000 rubles a year). Law and medical faculties are the most expensive.

Many universities pay a stipend:

• to undergraduate students - HUF 40,000 (about 11,000 rubles);
• to master's students - HUF 80,000 (about 22,000 rubles);
• to doctoral students - HUF 84,000 (about 22,000 rubles).

A housing-rent allowance may also be provided.

Students have the right to take on part-time work outside class hours, provided the working day is not full-time. A student can earn HUF 500-800 an hour (no more than 250 rubles an hour).

Standard of living

According to statistics, citizens of the country spend:

• on food - 28.9% of their salary;
• on transport - 17.5%;
• on housing - 15.9%;
• on utilities - 12.4%;
• on sport and leisure - 7.6%;
• on clothing and shoes - 4.6%.

The average salary in Hungary in June 2023 was a bit over HUF 566,000 (a bit over 150,000 rubles). Given that prices in Hungary are not very high, it's possible to maintain a decent standard of living even on an average salary. You should also factor in the high quality of products, the warm climate, the abundance of resorts, and the ability to quickly reach other European countries. All of this means that living in Hungary has plenty of upsides.