Hungaryđź‡đź‡ş
At a Glance
How Hungary compares across key indices
Cost of Living
52 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
91/100
Healthcare
63/100
Quality of Life
170/200
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Hungary
Cost of Living
52
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
39
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
52
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
54
100 = NYC dining
Safety & Crime
Low RiskHow safe residents feel in Hungary - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
91/100
Crime Index
3/100
Lower is better
Walking Safety
0 point drop from day to night
Cities in Hungary
Hungary has 138 modeled cities; this view starts with 40 curated or popular options. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,034 in Békéscsaba to $1,355 in Budapest. Ferencváros leads on safety, scoring 95/100. Ferencváros ranks highest for quality of life at 175/200.
Békéscsaba
$1,034/mo
Ferencváros
95/100
Ferencváros
175/200
Budapest
76/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budapest | $1,355 | 85/100 | 170/200 | 76/100 | 37 |
| Pest | $1,188 | 89/100 | 171/200 | 69/100 | 32 |
| Buda | $1,151 | 90/100 | 172/200 | 67/100 | 29 |
| Debrecen | $1,101 | 92/100 | 173/200 | 64/100 | 26 |
| Szeged | $1,089 | 93/100 | 173/200 | 63/100 | 25 |
| Miskolc | $1,087 | 93/100 | 173/200 | 63/100 | 25 |
| PĂ©cs | $1,083 | 93/100 | 173/200 | 63/100 | 24 |
| Budapest XI. kerĂĽlet | $1,081 | 93/100 | 173/200 | 63/100 | 24 |
| ZuglĂł | $1,077 | 93/100 | 174/200 | 63/100 | 24 |
| Győr | $1,076 | 93/100 | 174/200 | 63/100 | 24 |
| Budapest III. kerĂĽlet | $1,074 | 93/100 | 174/200 | 62/100 | 24 |
| NyĂregyháza | $1,072 | 93/100 | 174/200 | 62/100 | 24 |
| Budapest XIII. kerĂĽlet | $1,069 | 93/100 | 174/200 | 62/100 | 24 |
| Kecskemét | $1,068 | 93/100 | 174/200 | 62/100 | 23 |
| Székesfehérvár | $1,064 | 94/100 | 174/200 | 62/100 | 23 |
| Ăšjpest | $1,063 | 94/100 | 174/200 | 62/100 | 23 |
| Budapest IV. kerĂĽlet | $1,061 | 94/100 | 174/200 | 62/100 | 23 |
| Budapest XVIII. kerĂĽlet | $1,059 | 94/100 | 174/200 | 62/100 | 23 |
| Budapest II. kerĂĽlet | $1,056 | 94/100 | 174/200 | 61/100 | 23 |
| Budapest VIII. kerĂĽlet | $1,052 | 94/100 | 174/200 | 61/100 | 22 |
| Budapest XV. kerĂĽlet | $1,051 | 94/100 | 174/200 | 61/100 | 22 |
| Kőbánya | $1,049 | 94/100 | 174/200 | 61/100 | 22 |
| Budapest XVII. kerĂĽlet | $1,049 | 94/100 | 174/200 | 61/100 | 22 |
| Szombathely | $1,049 | 94/100 | 174/200 | 61/100 | 22 |
| Józsefváros | $1,049 | 94/100 | 174/200 | 61/100 | 22 |
| Budapest XXI. kerĂĽlet | $1,048 | 94/100 | 174/200 | 61/100 | 22 |
| Szolnok | $1,044 | 94/100 | 174/200 | 61/100 | 22 |
| Budapest XVI. kerĂĽlet | $1,042 | 94/100 | 174/200 | 61/100 | 22 |
| Tatabánya | $1,040 | 94/100 | 174/200 | 60/100 | 21 |
| Kaposvár | $1,039 | 95/100 | 174/200 | 60/100 | 21 |
| Budapest XX. kerĂĽlet | $1,038 | 95/100 | 174/200 | 60/100 | 21 |
| Érd | $1,038 | 95/100 | 174/200 | 60/100 | 21 |
| Sopron | $1,036 | 95/100 | 174/200 | 60/100 | 21 |
| Angyalföld | $1,036 | 95/100 | 174/200 | 60/100 | 21 |
| Erzsébetváros | $1,036 | 95/100 | 174/200 | 60/100 | 21 |
| Zalaegerszeg | $1,036 | 95/100 | 174/200 | 60/100 | 21 |
| Budapest XIX. kerĂĽlet | $1,036 | 95/100 | 174/200 | 60/100 | 21 |
| Kispest | $1,036 | 95/100 | 174/200 | 60/100 | 21 |
| Békéscsaba | $1,034 | 95/100 | 174/200 | 60/100 | 21 |
| Ferencváros | $1,034 | 95/100 | 175/200 | 60/100 | 21 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Hungary
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Environment
CleanAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Hungary
Pollution Index
28/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
14.1ug/m3
Good
Environmental Quality
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Hungary, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Hungary?
Hungary has a cost of living index of 52 relative to New York City (100). It is moderately affordable compared to the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,063 in Ăšjpest and reach $1,355 in Budapest.
What is the cheapest city in Hungary for expats?
Újpest is the most affordable city in Hungary in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $1,063 for a single person including rent. Székesfehérvár is the next most affordable at $1,064/mo.
Is Hungary safe for expats?
Hungary has a safety index of 91/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Székesfehérvár scores highest on safety at 94/100.
What is the best city in Hungary for expats and digital nomads?
Székesfehérvár ranks highest for quality of life in Hungary, scoring 174/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $1,064/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Újpest offers the lowest monthly costs at $1,063/mo.
How good is healthcare in Hungary?
Hungary scores 63/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it good by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Is Hungary cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Hungary's cost of living is roughly 48% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 61% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
What is the air quality and pollution like in Hungary?
Hungary has a pollution index of 28/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for Hungary
Plan Your Move
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Cost of living, safety, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates modeled from open public sources. Data sources
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