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Bucharest vs Budapest

Bucharest runs about 15% cheaper than Budapest for this household, a difference of 199 USD a month.

Floreasca business district in Bucharest, Romania, as seen from Lake Herăstrău.
Bucharest
$1,334/month · Romania
Madalin Pentelie · CC0
Az Infopark központi része az egyik épület tetejéről
Budapest
$1,533/month · Hungary
Jeti wiki · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bucharest monthly
$1,334
Index 21 (NYC = 100)
Budapest monthly
$1,533
Index 24 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+15%
Budapest relative to Bucharest
Rent gap
$50
Budapest costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BucharestBudapest
  • Housing
    Housing: Bucharest $600, Budapest $650. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Food
    Food: Bucharest $385, Budapest $459. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Transport
    Transport: Bucharest $45, Budapest $66. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Bucharest $134, Budapest $177. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Bucharest $17, Budapest $17. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Bucharest $99, Budapest $99. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Other
    Other: Bucharest $54, Budapest $65. Cheaper in Bucharest.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricBucharestBudapest
Cost
Total monthly cost1,334 USD✓1,533 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)21✓24
Housing600 USD✓650 USD
Utilities134 USD✓177 USD
Food385 USD✓459 USD
Transport45 USD✓66 USD
Healthcare17 USD✓17 USD
Lifestyle99 USD✓99 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,583 USD5,542 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate45.0%33.5%✓
Left over each month3,249 USD4,009 USD✓
Average local net salary1,200 USD✓1,150 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre600 USD✓650 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,100 USD✓1,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,400 USD✓2,600 USD
Quality of life
Safety74/10076/100✓
Healthcare62/10068/100✓
Air quality46/10054/100✓
Public transport78/10090/100✓
Walkability72/10086/100✓
English proficiency60/100✓52/100
Nightlife86/10092/100✓
Family friendliness70/10074/100✓
Median broadband260 Mbps✓180 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature12°C12°C
Summer high30°C28°C✓
Winter low-4°C-2°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,120 h✓1,990 h
Annual rainfall600 mm600 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach accessNone nearbyNone nearby
CurrencyRONHUF
Time zoneEurope/BucharestEurope/Budapest

Bucharest runs about 15% cheaper than Budapest for this household, a difference of 199 USD a month.

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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Bucharest or Budapest cheaper?

Bucharest runs about 15% cheaper than Budapest for this household, a difference of 199 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Budapest compared with Bucharest?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,583 a month in Bucharest and $5,542 in Budapest, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Bucharest or Budapest?

Bucharest scores 74/100 on safety and 62/100 on healthcare; Budapest scores 76 and 68. Bucharest averages 12°C against 12°C in Budapest.