Cost of Living in Budapest: A Guide on Expected Expenses

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. The cost of living in Budapest for a single person is around HUF 264,629 without rent.

Budapest, 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. So, let’s begin our discussion without any further delay.

Cost of Living in Budapest for Expats

The cost of living in Budapest is around HUF 494,629, and it can vary depending 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 of living in Budapest for various categories:

Item	Average Monthly Cost
1 bedroom Apartment in City Centre	HUF 230,121
Food (groceries and eating out)	HUF 80,000
Entertainment (cinema, pubs, etc.)	HUF 40,000
Utilities and bills (electricity, water, internet, etc.)	HUF 20,000
Transportation (public transport pass)	HUF 10,000
Total	HUF 380,121

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Cost of Accommodation in Budapest

One of the biggest expenses for students is the cost of accommodation in Budapest, which is around HUF 230,121 in the city centre. 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 and it affect the cost of living in Budapest. Also, apartments in Budapest are usually more expensive than those in Pest.

Accommodation	Average monthly rent (approx)
One-bedroom apartment in the city centre	HUF 230,121
One-bedroom apartment outside the city centre	HUF 178,151
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	HUF 399,839
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	HUF 296,414

Cost of Grocery in Budapest

The Cost of grocery in Budapest is relatively low compared to other European cities, and it hardly impacts your cost of living in Budapest. The average monthly price of groceries for a student living in Budapest is about HUF 22,400. Of course, this depends on your eating habits and preferences. Here is a table with some average prices of essential food/grocery items in Budapest:

Groceries	Average Monthly Cost (approx)
Bread (single loaf)	HUF 562
Milk (1 lt)	HUF 384
Cheese (1 kg)	HUF 3,555
Eggs (1 dozen)	HUF 872
Chicken (1 kg)	HUF 2,034
Apples (1 kg)	HUF 552
Oranges (1 kg)	HUF 703
Bananas (1 kg)	HUF 669
Tomatoes (1 kg)	HUF 1,034
Potatoes (1 kg)	HUF 442
Onions (1 kg)	HUF 487
Water (1.5 liter)	HUF 174
Rice (1kg)	HUF 745

A basic lunchtime menu at a restaurant costs about HUF 4,000, while a combo meal for 2 People, at mid-range restaurant costs about HUF 20,000. 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 without affecting your cost of living in Budapest.

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 HUF 40,000. Sometimes, you have to cut some costs to live in Budapest for entertainment. However, the following costs depend on your personal choices and frequency of going out:

Types of Entertainment	Approx Cost
Cinema ticket	HUF 1,500-2,000
Pub drink	HUF 500-1,000
Club entry fee	HUF 1,000-3,000
Thermal bath	HUF 4,400-10,000
Museum ticket	HUF 2,400-4,000
Walking tour	HUF Free-6,000
Pinball museum	HUF 4,200

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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 cost of transportation is included in the overall cost of living in Budapest. The average monthly cost of transportation (public transport pass) for a student living in Budapest is about HUF 9,500. You can easily get around the city by using the following modes of transportation:

Mode of Transportation	Approx Cost
Single ticket for bus, tram, metro, or trolleybus	HUF 450
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	HUF 1,100
Block of 10 single tickets	HUF 3,000
24-hour travel card	HUF 1,650
72-hour travel card	HUF 4,150
7-day travel card	HUF 4,950
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	HUF 9,500
A monthly pass for students	HUF 3,450
Airport shuttle bus single ticket	HUF 900
Single ticket for public transport boat	HUF 750

Cost of Utilities and Bills in Budapest

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 Budapest is about HUF 57,782, which is lower than the cost of living in Budapest. Moreover, it is nearly half for an international student living in a shared apartment in Budapest. Here’s an individual breakdown:

Utilities	Approx Cost
Gas	HUF 14,300
Electricity	HUF 5,500
Water	HUF 3,500
Internet	HUF 4,000
Local government tax	HUF 9,000
Total	HUF 36,300

Why Choose to Study in Budapest?

Budapest offers an exceptional range of world-class education programmes at its universities, along with the affordable cost of living 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 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.

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 HUF 250,000 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 that will definitely cut the extra cost of living in Budapest.

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FAQs

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