Budapest vs Berlin Cost of Living

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

Summary

  • Overall, Berlin is 48% more expensive than Budapest.
  • Rent in Berlin is 72% more expensive than in Budapest.
  • Transport in Berlin is 58% more expensive than in Budapest.
ItemBudapestBerlinDiff
Rent+72%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,034$1,809+75%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$643$1,061+65%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,891$3,318+75%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,143$1,981+73%
Groceries+41%
Milk (1L)$0.77$1.08+40%
White bread (500g)$2.16$2.73+26%
Rice (1kg)$3.02$4.17+38%
Eggs (12)$2.63$3.78+44%
Local cheese (1kg)$7.49$10.7+43%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$6.56$10.3+57%
Beef round (1kg)$10.3$16+55%
Apples (1kg)$3.25$3.81+17%
Bananas (1kg)$1.04$1.58+52%
Oranges (1kg)$2.38$3.71+56%
Tomatoes (1kg)$2.78$4.02+45%
Potatoes (1kg)$1.61$2.23+39%
Onions (1kg)$1.46$2.26+55%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.36$2+47%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.44$2+39%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$9.31$11.1+19%
Transport+58%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.13$1.87+65%
Public transport, monthly pass$50.6$84.3+67%
Taxi, base fare$2.08$2.71+30%
Taxi, per km$0.79$1.27+61%
Gasoline (1L)$0.44$0.74+68%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$13,243$21,143+60%
Dining out+44%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$9.76$15.6+60%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$60.6$88.5+46%
Fast food combo meal$6.37$8.01+26%
Cappuccino$2.71$3.38+25%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.26$2.05+63%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$3.49$4.83+38%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$3.61$6.19+71%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.09$1.43+31%
Telecom+33%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$36.9$47.6+29%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$44.9$58.3+30%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.21$0.26+24%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$8.52$12.9+51%
Utilities & household+42%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$86.7$144+66%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.13$0.15+15%
Tap water (1m³)$2.31$3.66+58%
Natural gas (1m³)$0.72$1.08+50%
Waste collection (monthly)$11.7$16.9+44%
Fitness club (monthly)$43.1$62.1+44%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$9.11$10.3+13%
Men's haircut$17.7$26.9+52%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$13.8$17.6+28%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,075$1,733+61%

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

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