🇦🇹 Vienna vs 🇭🇺 Budapest
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Budapest is 54% cheaper than Vienna
Quick answer
Comparing Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $2,500 in Vienna versus $1,150 in Budapest. Budapest is roughly 54% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $1,100/mo (Vienna) vs $750/mo (Budapest). Estimates use World Bank PPP data + national statistics + (where available) item-level price snapshots.
Key facts
- Moderate budget: $2,500/mo in Vienna single person — rent + food + transport + utilities.
- Moderate budget: $1,150/mo in Budapest single person — like-for-like comparison.
- Central 1-bed rent $1,100/mo in Vienna · $750/mo in Budapest.
- Cheaper overall: Budapest ~54% cheaper than Vienna.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇦🇹 Vienna | 🇭🇺 Budapest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,750/mo | $800/mo | -54% |
| Moderate | $2,500/mo | $1,150/mo | -54% |
| Comfortable | $3,750/mo | $1,750/mo | -53% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
Cost Breakdown by Category
| Category | 🇦🇹 Vienna | 🇭🇺 Budapest | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $1,100/mo | $750/mo | -32% |
| Groceries & Food | $500/mo | $230/mo | -54% |
| Dining Out | $240/mo | $140/mo | -42% |
| Transport | $48/mo | $25/mo | -48% |
| Utilities & Internet | $250/mo | $115/mo | -54% |
| Healthcare | $200/mo | $92/mo | -54% |
| Leisure & Personal | $175/mo | $81/mo | -54% |
Housing (1-bed, center)
Vienna
$1,100
Budapest
$750
Groceries & Food
Vienna
$500
Budapest
$230
Dining Out
Vienna
$240
Budapest
$140
Transport
Vienna
$48
Budapest
$25
Utilities & Internet
Vienna
$250
Budapest
$115
Healthcare
Vienna
$200
Budapest
$92
Leisure & Personal
Vienna
$175
Budapest
$81
Quick Facts
🇦🇹 Vienna
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,500
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $1,100/mo
- Cappuccino
- $4.20
- Inexpensive meal
- $12.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $48
- Internet speed
- 120 Mbps
- Safety index
- 88/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 91/100
- Country
- Austria
🇭🇺 Budapest
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $1,150
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $750/mo
- Cappuccino
- $2.00
- Inexpensive meal
- $7.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $25
- Internet speed
- 130 Mbps
- Safety index
- 72/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 73/100
- Country
- Hungary
Explore more: Vienna city guide | Budapest city guide | Austria | Hungary
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vienna or Budapest cheaper to live in?
Budapest is approximately 54% cheaper than Vienna overall.
How much does it cost to live in Vienna per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Vienna is approximately $2,500, including rent, food, transport, and utilities.
How much does it cost to live in Budapest per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Budapest is approximately $1,150, including rent, food, transport, and utilities.
What is the rent difference between Vienna and Budapest?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $1,100/month in Vienna and $750/month in Budapest.