🇭🇺 Budapest vs 🇮🇪 Dublin

Cost of living comparison · 2026

🇭🇺

Budapest

Hungary

$1,385–$2,192/mo

Ft494,643 – Ft782,857 / month (local)

🇮🇪

Dublin

Ireland

$2,646–$4,190/mo

€2,450 – €3,880 / month (local)

Dublin is 91% more expensive

Budapest wins on affordability

Cost breakdown

CategoryBudapest (USD)Dublin (USD)Winner
Rent (1-bed, city center)$1,038–$1,615$1,985–$3,087🟢 Budapest
Rent (1-bed, outside center)$548–$865$1,047–$1,654🟢 Budapest
Utilities$43–$84$83–$160🟢 Budapest
Groceries$219–$329$419–$628🟢 Budapest
Eating out (mid-range meal)$29–$52$55–$99🟢 Budapest
Public transport (monthly)$55–$66$105–$127🟢 Budapest
Internet & Mobile$17–$29$33–$55🟢 Budapest
Gym membership$20–$38$39–$72🟢 Budapest
Cinema ticket$8–$10$15–$20🟢 Budapest
Monthly total (single)$1,385–$2,192$2,646–$4,190🟢 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

Housing6.6 / 10 · 3.8 / 10
Budapest▲ better
Dublin
Safety8.4 / 10 · 8.3 / 10
Budapest▲ better
Dublin
Healthcare8.4 / 10 · 8.3 / 10
Budapest▲ better
Dublin
Education8.0 / 10 · 7.9 / 10
Budapest▲ better
Dublin
Environment8.8 / 10 · 8.7 / 10
Budapest▲ better
Dublin
Economy7.1 / 10 · 7.0 / 10
Budapest▲ better
Dublin
Culture7.7 / 10 · 7.6 / 10
Budapest▲ better
Dublin
Internet8.1 / 10 · 8.0 / 10
Budapest▲ better
Dublin

Who should choose which city?

Choose Budapest if…

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

Choose Dublin if…

  • ✓You're happy to pay more for what Dublin offers vs Budapest
  • ✓EU English hub
  • ✓Tech HQs
  • ✓Pub culture
  • ✓FAANG EU

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📊

Full Budapest guide

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📊

Full Dublin guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Dublin →