Berlin vs Budapest Cost of Living

Berlin (Germany) · Overall index 60.5Budapest (Hungary) · Overall index 40.9

Summary

  • Overall, Budapest is 32% cheaper than Berlin.
  • Rent in Budapest is 42% cheaper than in Berlin.
  • Transport in Budapest is 37% cheaper than in Berlin.
ItemBerlinBudapestDiff
Rent-42%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,809$1,034-43%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,061$643-39%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$3,318$1,891-43%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,981$1,143-42%
Groceries-29%
Milk (1L)$1.08$0.77-29%
White bread (500g)$2.73$2.16-21%
Rice (1kg)$4.17$3.02-28%
Eggs (12)$3.78$2.63-30%
Local cheese (1kg)$10.7$7.49-30%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$10.3$6.56-36%
Beef round (1kg)$16$10.3-36%
Apples (1kg)$3.81$3.25-15%
Bananas (1kg)$1.58$1.04-34%
Oranges (1kg)$3.71$2.38-36%
Tomatoes (1kg)$4.02$2.78-31%
Potatoes (1kg)$2.23$1.61-28%
Onions (1kg)$2.26$1.46-35%
Lettuce (1 head)$2$1.36-32%
Water (1.5L bottle)$2$1.44-28%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$11.1$9.31-16%
Transport-37%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.87$1.13-40%
Public transport, monthly pass$84.3$50.6-40%
Taxi, base fare$2.71$2.08-23%
Taxi, per km$1.27$0.79-38%
Gasoline (1L)$0.74$0.44-41%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$21,143$13,243-37%
Dining out-31%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$15.6$9.76-37%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$88.5$60.6-32%
Fast food combo meal$8.01$6.37-20%
Cappuccino$3.38$2.71-20%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$2.05$1.26-39%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$4.83$3.49-28%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$6.19$3.61-42%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.43$1.09-24%
Telecom-25%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$47.6$36.9-22%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$58.3$44.9-23%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.26$0.21-19%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$12.9$8.52-34%
Utilities & household-30%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$144$86.7-40%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.15$0.13-13%
Tap water (1m³)$3.66$2.31-37%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.08$0.72-33%
Waste collection (monthly)$16.9$11.7-31%
Fitness club (monthly)$62.1$43.1-31%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$10.3$9.11-12%
Men's haircut$26.9$17.7-34%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$17.6$13.8-22%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,733$1,075-38%

3,088 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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