Skip to content

London vs Budapest

Budapest runs about 62% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 2,517 USD a month.

Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames.
London
$4,050/month · United Kingdom
Terry Ott from Washington, DC Metro Area, United States of America · CC BY 2.0
Az Infopark központi része az egyik épület tetejéről
Budapest
$1,533/month · Hungary
Jeti wiki · CC BY-SA 4.0
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Budapest monthly
$1,533
Index 24 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-62%
Budapest relative to London
Rent gap
$1,950
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

LondonBudapest
  • Housing
    Housing: London $2,600, Budapest $650. Cheaper in Budapest.
  • Food
    Food: London $617, Budapest $459. Cheaper in Budapest.
  • Transport
    Transport: London $282, Budapest $66. Cheaper in Budapest.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: London $267, Budapest $177. Cheaper in Budapest.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: London $8.03, Budapest $17. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: London $169, Budapest $99. Cheaper in Budapest.
  • Other
    Other: London $107, Budapest $65. 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

MetricLondonBudapest
Cost
Total monthly cost4,050 USD1,533 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)6324✓
Housing2,600 USD650 USD✓
Utilities267 USD177 USD✓
Food617 USD459 USD✓
Transport282 USD66 USD✓
Healthcare8 USD✓17 USD
Lifestyle169 USD99 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,953 USD✓5,542 USD
Effective tax + social rate28.6%✓33.5%
Left over each month1,902 USD4,009 USD✓
Average local net salary3,600 USD✓1,150 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,600 USD650 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre5,200 USD1,200 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre15,000 USD2,600 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety66/10076/100✓
Healthcare84/100✓68/100
Air quality60/100✓54/100
Public transport92/100✓90/100
Walkability90/100✓86/100
English proficiency100/100✓52/100
Nightlife94/100✓92/100
Family friendliness72/10074/100✓
Median broadband90 Mbps180 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature12°C12°C
Summer high23°C✓28°C
Winter low3°C✓-2°C
Sunshine hours per year1,480 h1,990 h✓
Annual rainfall600 mm600 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access90 min✓None nearby
CurrencyGBPHUF
Time zoneEurope/LondonEurope/Budapest

Budapest runs about 62% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 2,517 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

FAQ

Frequently asked

Is London or Budapest cheaper?

Budapest runs about 62% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 2,517 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Budapest compared with London?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,953 a month in London and $5,542 in Budapest, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, London or Budapest?

London scores 66/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Budapest scores 76 and 68. London averages 12°C against 12°C in Budapest.