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Budapest is the capital and largest city of Hungary, a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is a vibrant and culturally rich city that offers a unique blend of history, architecture, cuisine, and nightlife. It is also a popular destination for international students who want to experience a different side of Europe while pursuing their academic goals. But how much does it cost to live in Budapest as a student? This blog will explore the cost of living in Budapest and why you should consider studying in this beautiful city. Let’s start with exploring the city’s highlights given below in the table.
| Founded | 1873 |
| Population | 1.7 million |
| Area | 525 km2 |
| Major Industries | Tourism, software, pharmaceuticals, automotive, electronics, and food industries. |
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Why Choose to Study in Budapest?
There are many reasons why international students should choose Budapest to study abroad. Here are some of them:
- Budapest is one of the most affordable cities in Europe, with a lower cost of living than many other popular study abroad destinations. The consumer price index (excluding rent) in Budapest is 40% lower than in Paris, 35% lower than in Berlin, and 25% lower than in Prague.
- The city has several prestigious universities that offer a wide range of programs in English, having high academic standards, international accreditations, and diverse student bodies.
- Compared to other European countries, Hungary has relatively low tuition fees for international students. Depending on the program and the university, the average tuition fee ranges from 1,000 – 3,000 euros (INR 90k – 2.7 lakhs) per year. Some scholarships and grants are also available for eligible students.
- Budapest is a melting pot of cultures, with influences from various ethnic groups, such as Hungarians, Germans, Turks, Roma, Jews, and others. You can also enjoy the diverse cuisine, music, and nightlife of Budapest.
- Budapest is situated on both sides of the Danube River, which divides the city into two parts: Buda and Pest. The city has stunning natural scenery, with hills, islands, parks, and gardens. You can also relax in one of the many thermal baths that Budapest is famous for.
Also Watch: Student life in Hungary
Cost of Living in Budapest
The cost of living in Budapest depends on various factors, such as your lifestyle, preferences, and needs. However, to give you an idea of how much you can expect to spend in Budapest as a student, we have compiled a table with some average monthly costs:
| Item | Average Monthly Cost |
| Rent (shared apartment) | 100,000 HUF (INR 23k) |
| Food (groceries and eating out) | 80,000 HUF (INR 18.5k) |
| Entertainment (cinema, pubs, etc.) | 40,000 HUF (INR 9k) |
| Utilities and bills (electricity, water, internet, etc.) | 20,000 HUF (INR 4.6k) |
| Transportation (public transport pass) | 10,000 HUF (INR 2.3k) |
| Total | 250,000 HUF (INR 58k) |
Cost of Accommodation in Budapest
One of the biggest expenses for students living in Budapest is accommodation rent. The rent varies depending on the location, size, and condition of the apartment. Generally speaking, apartments in the city centre are more expensive than those in the outskirts. Also, apartments in Buda are usually more expensive than those in Pest.
| Accommodation | Average monthly rent (approx) |
| One-bedroom apartment in the city centre | 210,000 HUF (INR 48.5k) |
| One-bedroom apartment outside the city centre | 167,000 HUF (INR 38.5k) |
| Shared apartments | 100,000 HUF (INR 23k) |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Belfast
Cost of Food in Budapest
Food prices in Budapest are relatively low compared to other European cities. The average monthly cost for food (including groceries and eating out) for a student living in Budapest is about 80,000 HUF (INR 18.5k). Of course, this depends on your eating habits and preferences. Here is a table with some average prices of basic food items in Budapest:
| Groceries | Average Monthly Cost (approx) |
| Bread (single loaf) | 300-500 HUF (INR 70-120) |
| Milk (1 lt) | 200-400 HUF (INR 45-90) |
| Cheese (1 kg) | 1500-3000 HUF (INR 350-700) |
| Eggs (1 dozen) | 600-800 HUF (INR 140-185) |
| Chicken (1 kg) | 1500-2000 HUF (INR 350-460) |
| Apples (1 kg) | 300-500 HUF (INR 70-120) |
| Oranges (1 kg) | 400-600 HUF (INR 45-140) |
| Bananas (1 kg) | 300-500 HUF (INR 70-120) |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | 300-500 HUF (INR 70-120) |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | 200-300 HUF (INR 45-70) |
| Onions (1 kg) | 200-300 HUF (INR 45-70) |
A basic lunchtime menu at a restaurant costs about 3,500 HUF (INR 810), while a combo meal at a fast-food place costs about 2,700 HUF (INR 625). Instead, you can buy fresh and cheap produce at local markets or supermarkets. You can also find many ethnic restaurants that offer affordable and delicious food from various cuisines.
Cost of Entertainment in Budapest
Budapest is a lively and fun city that offers plenty of entertainment options for students. The average monthly cost of entertainment (including cinema, pubs, etc.) for a student living in Budapest is about 40,000 HUF (INR 9k). However, the following costs depend on your personal choices and frequency of going out:
| Cinema ticket | HUF 1,500-2,000 (INR 345-460) |
| Pub drink | HUF 500-1,000 (INR 115-230) |
| Club entry fee | HUF 1,000-3,000 (INR 230-690) |
| Thermal bath | HUF 4,400-10,000 (INR 1,012-2,300) |
| Museum ticket | HUF 2,400-4,000 (INR 552-920) |
| Walking tour | HUF Free-6,000 (INR 0-1,380) |
| Pinball museum | HUF 4,200 (INR 966) |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Bath
Cost of Transportation in Budapest
Budapest has an efficient and convenient public transportation system that consists of buses, trams, metro, trolleybus, and suburban railways. The average monthly cost of transportation (public transport pass) for a student living in Budapest is about 10,000 HUF (INR 2.3k). You can easily get around the city by using the following modes of transportation:
| Single ticket for bus, tram, metro, or trolleybus | HUF 350 (INR 80) |
| Block of 10 single tickets | HUF 3,000 (INR 690) |
| 24-hour travel card | HUF 1,650 (INR 380) |
| 72-hour travel card | HUF 4,150 (INR 955) |
| 7-day travel card | HUF 4,950 (INR 1140) |
| A monthly pass for students | HUF 3,450 (INR 790) |
| Airport shuttle bus single ticket | HUF 900 (INR 200) |
| Single ticket for public transport boat | HUF 750 (INR 170) |
Utilities and Bills
The cost of utilities and bills depends on the size and condition of the apartment, as well as the consumption habits of the residents. The average monthly cost for utilities and bills for an international student living in a shared apartment in Budapest is about 20,000 HUF (INR 4.6k). Here’s an individual breakdown:
| Gas | HUF 14,300 (INR 3,289) |
| Electricity | HUF 5,500 (INR 1,282) |
| Water | HUF 3,500 (INR 812) |
| Internet | HUF 4,000 (INR 928) |
| Local government tax | HUF 9,000 (INR 2,088) |
| Total | HUF 36,300 (INR 8,409) |
All in all, Budapest is a great city to study abroad, as it offers high-quality education at affordable tuition fees, a low cost of living, cultural diversity, and natural beauty. As a student living in Budapest, you can expect to spend about 250,000 HUF (INR 58k) per month on average, excluding tuition fees. You can also find ways to save money by sharing an apartment, cooking at home, or looking for discounts and deals.
FAQs
The cost of living in Budapest depends on various factors, such as your lifestyle, preferences, and needs. But according to the research, Budapest is cheaper than 79% of cities in the world. So it is not very expensive to live in Budapest compared to other places.
Yes, Budapest is expensive compared to India, the latter being 63.3% cheaper than the former.
The average monthly salary range in Budapest is 125,000 HUF – 2,200,000 HUF (INR 29k – 5L).
We hope this blog provided you with all the information regarding the cost of living in Budapest. For more informative content on student life abroad, stay tuned to Leverage Edu.
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