Budapest vs Belgrade for Expats
Cross-border city comparison — Hungary vs Serbia — across 7 dimensions using granular city-level data.
Last updated: February 2026
Quick Verdict
- •Budapest is more affordable (10 points lower cost index)
- •Budapest scores 7 points higher on safety
- •Budapest has stronger healthcare (+7 points)
- •Budapest leads in transport & infrastructure (+18 points)
Overall, Budapest edges ahead on aggregate scoring, but the best choice depends on your personal priorities.
Score Comparison
Affordability index -- lower cost of living scores higher
Crime rates, safety perceptions, and neighborhood security
Hospital access, quality of care, and insurance options
School quality, university access, and language programs
Job market, co-working spaces, and remote work infrastructure
Temperature, sunshine hours, and air quality
Public transit, walkability, and ride-hailing availability
Key Metrics
| Metric | 🇭🇺 Budapest | 🇷🇸 Belgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Index | 68 | 78 |
| Safety Index | 72 | 65 |
| Healthcare Index | 65 | 58 |
| Education Index | 70 | 62 |
| Career Index | 52 | 42 |
| Climate Index | 58 | 60 |
| Transport Index | 78 | 60 |
| Air Quality Index | 55 | 48 |
| Family Index | 65 | 58 |
Price Comparison (USD)
| Item | 🇭🇺 Budapest | 🇷🇸 Belgrade |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent (City Centre) | $750/mo | $550/mo |
| 1-Bed Rent (Outside Centre) | $500/mo | $350/mo |
| Inexpensive Meal | $7 | $6 |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $2 |
| Monthly Transport Pass | $32 | $28 |
| Coworking (Monthly) | $160 | $120 |
| Internet Speed | 130 Mbps | 80 Mbps |
The Expat Vibe
🇭🇺 Budapest
A grand, affordable, and achingly beautiful city split by the Danube — famous for its ruin bars, thermal baths, and a vibrant international community, though political trends create uncertainty for some expats.
🇷🇸 Belgrade
A loud, defiant, late-night city with a legendary nightlife scene (splav river clubs), cheap living, and a growing tech industry attracting remote workers who want Eastern European prices with genuine urban energy.
Housing & Rentals
🇭🇺 Budapest
Still very affordable by EU standards. A furnished 1-bed in Districts V-VII runs EUR 500-850. Ingatlan.com is the main platform. Many landlords prefer cash payments and informal arrangements. Utility costs in winter (gas heating) can nearly equal rent in older buildings.
Top neighborhoods: District VII (Jewish Quarter/Party District), District V (Belvaros), District VI (Terezvaros), District IX (Ferencvaros), District II (Buda Hills)
🇷🇸 Belgrade
Very affordable. A furnished 1-bed in Vracar or Dorcol runs EUR 400-700. Leases are often informal. CityExpert and Halo Oglasi are the main platforms. Landlords typically expect 1-2 months deposit. Heating bills (district heating) in winter can be high.
Top neighborhoods: Vracar, Dorcol, Stari Grad, Zemun, Novi Beograd
Getting Around
🇭🇺 Budapest
Excellent BKK network: metro (4 lines, M1 is a UNESCO site), trams (lines 4/6 run 24/7), buses, and trolleybuses. Monthly pass is HUF 9,500 (EUR 25). Very affordable taxis via Bolt. The Danube bike paths are lovely.
🇷🇸 Belgrade
BusPlus card covers buses, trams, and trolleybuses. No metro (perpetually planned). BG:voz commuter rail connects Novi Beograd. Bolt and CarGo are the ride-hailing apps. Walking in the centre is easy and pleasant.
Cost of Living Details
🇭🇺 Budapest
Outstanding value. A couple can live well on EUR 1,800-2,800/mo including rent. A pint of local beer costs EUR 1.50-3. The langos (fried dough) at Central Market Hall costs EUR 2-4.
🇷🇸 Belgrade
Extremely affordable. A couple can live well on EUR 1,500-2,500/mo including rent. A cevapi portion costs EUR 3-5. A beer at a bar costs EUR 1.50-3. Skadarlija (bohemian quarter) restaurants are slightly touristy but still cheap.
Climate & Weather
🇭🇺 Budapest
Continental — hot, sometimes stifling summers (28-38°C) and cold winters (-5 to 5°C) with the Danube fog creating atmospheric but damp conditions. Spring and autumn are delightful.
🇷🇸 Belgrade
Continental — hot, humid summers (28-38°C) and cold winters (-5 to 5°C with snow). Spring and autumn are short but beautiful. The 'kosava' wind can be biting in winter.
Food & Dining
🇭🇺 Budapest
Central Market Hall (Nagy Vasarcsarnok) for langos and paprika spices. Goulash is a soup here, not a stew — try it at Hungarikum Bistro. Bors GasztroBar for creative soups. Ruin bars (Szimpla Kert) are more about the atmosphere than the food, but the Sunday farmers market at Szimpla is excellent. Chimney cake (kurtoskalacs) on Vaci utca.
🇷🇸 Belgrade
Cevapi at Walter (the local chain) or Zeleni Venac market is the essential cheap eat. Pljeskavica (Serbian burger) at Loki is a local favourite. Kafana question-mark (?) is Belgrade's oldest restaurant. Skadarlija's Dva Jelena for traditional Serbian cuisine with live music. Rakija (plum brandy) is sipped, not shot.
Insider Tips
🇭🇺 Budapest
Skip Szechenyi baths on weekends (packed, party atmosphere). Go to Rudas or Gellert for a more authentic thermal experience. Rudas' rooftop pool has the best views of the Danube. Also, buy a Budapest Card if you're exploring — it includes unlimited transport, museum entries, and bath discounts.
🇷🇸 Belgrade
Serbia offers visa-free entry for 90 days for most nationalities. The Digital Nomad Visa is not formalized yet, but the 'temporary residence for other purposes' route works for longer stays. Also, Zemun (across the river) feels like a separate town — it's quieter, cheaper, and has stunning Danube views from Gardos Tower.
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