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Budapest vs Warsaw

Budapest runs about 26% cheaper than Warsaw for this household, a difference of 397 USD a month.

Az Infopark központi része az egyik épület tetejéről
Budapest
$1,533/month · Hungary
Jeti wiki · CC BY-SA 4.0
Aleja Rzeczypospolitej w Warszawie, widok od południa, na pierwszym planie Świątynia Opatrzności Bożej.
Warsaw
$1,930/month · Poland
Emptywords · CC BY-SA 4.0
Budapest monthly
$1,533
Index 24 (NYC = 100)
Warsaw monthly
$1,930
Index 30 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+26%
Warsaw relative to Budapest
Rent gap
$350
Warsaw costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BudapestWarsaw
  • Housing
    Housing: Budapest $650, Warsaw $1,000. Cheaper in Budapest.
  • Food
    Food: Budapest $459, Warsaw $485. Cheaper in Budapest.
  • Transport
    Transport: Budapest $66, Warsaw $77. Cheaper in Budapest.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Budapest $177, Warsaw $168. Cheaper in Warsaw.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Budapest $17, Warsaw $18. Cheaper in Budapest.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Budapest $99, Warsaw $114. Cheaper in Budapest.
  • Other
    Other: Budapest $65, Warsaw $69. Cheaper in Budapest.
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

MetricBudapestWarsaw
Cost
Total monthly cost1,533 USD✓1,930 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)24✓30
Housing650 USD✓1,000 USD
Utilities177 USD168 USD✓
Food459 USD✓485 USD
Transport66 USD✓77 USD
Healthcare17 USD✓18 USD
Lifestyle99 USD✓114 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,542 USD✓4,360 USD
Effective tax + social rate33.5%✓47.7%
Left over each month4,009 USD✓2,430 USD
Average local net salary1,150 USD1,500 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre650 USD✓1,000 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,200 USD✓1,800 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,600 USD✓3,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety76/10080/100✓
Healthcare68/10074/100✓
Air quality54/10058/100✓
Public transport90/100✓88/100
Walkability86/100✓84/100
English proficiency52/10066/100✓
Nightlife92/100✓84/100
Family friendliness74/10080/100✓
Median broadband180 Mbps180 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature12°C9°C✓
Summer high28°C25°C✓
Winter low-2°C✓-4°C
Sunshine hours per year1,990 h✓1,670 h
Annual rainfall600 mm530 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach accessNone nearbyNone nearby
CurrencyHUFPLN
Time zoneEurope/BudapestEurope/Warsaw

Budapest runs about 26% cheaper than Warsaw for this household, a difference of 397 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in BudapestCost of living in WarsawConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Budapest vs BucharestBudapest vs BelgradeBudapest vs Kraków
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Budapest or Warsaw cheaper?

Budapest runs about 26% cheaper than Warsaw for this household, a difference of 397 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Warsaw compared with Budapest?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,542 a month in Budapest and $4,360 in Warsaw, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Budapest or Warsaw?

Budapest scores 76/100 on safety and 68/100 on healthcare; Warsaw scores 80 and 74. Budapest averages 12°C against 9°C in Warsaw.