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Budapest vs Bucharest

Bucharest runs about 13% cheaper than Budapest for this household, a difference of 199 USD a month.

Az Infopark központi része az egyik épület tetejéről
Budapest
$1,533/month · Hungary
Jeti wiki · CC BY-SA 4.0
Floreasca business district in Bucharest, Romania, as seen from Lake Herăstrău.
Bucharest
$1,334/month · Romania
Madalin Pentelie · CC0
Budapest monthly
$1,533
Index 24 (NYC = 100)
Bucharest monthly
$1,334
Index 21 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-13%
Bucharest relative to Budapest
Rent gap
$50
Budapest costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BudapestBucharest
  • Housing
    Housing: Budapest $650, Bucharest $600. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Food
    Food: Budapest $459, Bucharest $385. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Transport
    Transport: Budapest $66, Bucharest $45. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Budapest $177, Bucharest $134. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Budapest $17, Bucharest $17. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Budapest $99, Bucharest $99. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Other
    Other: Budapest $65, Bucharest $54. 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

MetricBudapestBucharest
Cost
Total monthly cost1,533 USD1,334 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)2421✓
Housing650 USD600 USD✓
Utilities177 USD134 USD✓
Food459 USD385 USD✓
Transport66 USD45 USD✓
Healthcare17 USD17 USD✓
Lifestyle99 USD99 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,542 USD✓4,583 USD
Effective tax + social rate33.5%✓45.0%
Left over each month4,009 USD✓3,249 USD
Average local net salary1,150 USD1,200 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre650 USD600 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,200 USD1,100 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre2,600 USD2,400 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety76/100✓74/100
Healthcare68/100✓62/100
Air quality54/100✓46/100
Public transport90/100✓78/100
Walkability86/100✓72/100
English proficiency52/10060/100✓
Nightlife92/100✓86/100
Family friendliness74/100✓70/100
Median broadband180 Mbps260 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature12°C12°C
Summer high28°C✓30°C
Winter low-2°C✓-4°C
Sunshine hours per year1,990 h2,120 h✓
Annual rainfall600 mm600 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach accessNone nearbyNone nearby
CurrencyHUFRON
Time zoneEurope/BudapestEurope/Bucharest

Bucharest runs about 13% cheaper than Budapest for this household, a difference of 199 USD a month.

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Cost of living in BudapestCost of living in BucharestConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Budapest or Bucharest cheaper?

Bucharest runs about 13% cheaper than Budapest for this household, a difference of 199 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Bucharest compared with Budapest?

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

Which has better quality of life, Budapest or Bucharest?

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