🇩🇪 Berlin vs 🇭🇺 Budapest

Cost of living comparison · 2026

🇩🇪

Berlin

Germany

$2,215–$3,508/mo

€2,051 – €3,248 / month (local)

🇭🇺

Budapest

Hungary

$1,385–$2,192/mo

Ft494,643 – Ft782,857 / month (local)

Berlin is 60% more expensive

Budapest wins on affordability

Cost breakdown

CategoryBerlin (USD)Budapest (USD)Winner
Rent (1-bed, city center)$1,662–$2,585$1,038–$1,615🟢 Budapest
Rent (1-bed, outside center)$877–$1,385$548–$865🟢 Budapest
Utilities$69–$134$43–$84🟢 Budapest
Groceries$351–$526$219–$329🟢 Budapest
Eating out (mid-range meal)$46–$83$29–$52🟢 Budapest
Public transport (monthly)$88–$106$55–$66🟢 Budapest
Internet & Mobile$28–$46$17–$29🟢 Budapest
Gym membership$32–$60$20–$38🟢 Budapest
Cinema ticket$13–$17$8–$10🟢 Budapest
Monthly total (single)$2,215–$3,508$1,385–$2,192🟢 Budapest

See how your salary compares in both cities

Enter monthly take-home in USD. We compare to our estimated budget range for your household (not financial advice).

Quality of life comparison

Housing5.0 / 10 · 6.6 / 10
Berlin
Budapest▲ better
Safety8.6 / 10 · 8.4 / 10
Berlin▲ better
Budapest
Healthcare8.6 / 10 · 8.4 / 10
Berlin▲ better
Budapest
Education8.2 / 10 · 8.0 / 10
Berlin▲ better
Budapest
Environment9.0 / 10 · 8.8 / 10
Berlin▲ better
Budapest
Economy7.3 / 10 · 7.1 / 10
Berlin▲ better
Budapest
Culture7.9 / 10 · 7.7 / 10
Berlin▲ better
Budapest
Internet8.3 / 10 · 8.1 / 10
Berlin▲ better
Budapest

Who should choose which city?

Choose Berlin if…

  • ✓You're happy to pay more for what Berlin offers vs Budapest
  • ✓Startup scene
  • ✓Nightlife
  • ✓Value vs London
  • ✓Creatives

Choose Budapest if…

  • ✓You want lower typical monthly costs than Berlin
  • ✓Thermal baths
  • ✓Architecture
  • ✓Value
  • ✓Remote work

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Full Berlin guide

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📊

Full Budapest guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Budapest →