🇦🇹 Vienna vs 🇭🇺 Budapest
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Budapest is 39% cheaper than Vienna
Quick answer
Comparing Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $2,792 in Vienna versus $1,704 in Budapest. Budapest is roughly 39% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $1,167/mo (Vienna) vs $956/mo (Budapest). The totals use the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Key facts
- Moderate budget: $2,792/mo in Vienna single person — city-centre rent + modeled non-housing categories.
- Moderate budget: $1,704/mo in Budapest single person — like-for-like city-centre basket.
- Central 1-bed rent $1,167/mo in Vienna · $956/mo in Budapest.
- Cheaper overall: Budapest ~39% cheaper than Vienna.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇦🇹 Vienna | 🇭🇺 Budapest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,950/mo | $1,200/mo | -38% |
| Moderate | $2,792/mo | $1,704/mo | -39% |
| Comfortable | $4,200/mo | $2,550/mo | -39% |
The Moderate row equals the category table below: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending. Budget and Comfortable scale that same basket.
Cost Breakdown by Category
| Category | 🇦🇹 Vienna | 🇭🇺 Budapest | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $1,167/mo | $956/mo | -18% |
| Groceries & Food | $500/mo | $230/mo | -54% |
| Dining Out | $250/mo | $115/mo | -54% |
| Transport | $250/mo | $115/mo | -54% |
| Utilities & Internet | $250/mo | $115/mo | -54% |
| Healthcare | $200/mo | $92/mo | -54% |
| Leisure & Personal | $175/mo | $81/mo | -54% |
Category sum = Moderate budget. Basis: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Housing (1-bed, center)
Vienna
$1,167
Budapest
$956
Groceries & Food
Vienna
$500
Budapest
$230
Dining Out
Vienna
$250
Budapest
$115
Transport
Vienna
$250
Budapest
$115
Utilities & Internet
Vienna
$250
Budapest
$115
Healthcare
Vienna
$200
Budapest
$92
Leisure & Personal
Vienna
$175
Budapest
$81
Quick Facts
🇦🇹 Vienna
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,792
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $1,167/mo
- Cappuccino
- $4.20
- Inexpensive meal
- $12.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $48
- Internet speed
- 120 Mbps
- Safety index
- 88/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 93/100
- Country
- Austria
🇭🇺 Budapest
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $1,704
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $956/mo
- Cappuccino
- $2.00
- Inexpensive meal
- $7.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $25
- Internet speed
- 130 Mbps
- Safety index
- 72/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 76/100
- 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 39% 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 $2,792 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
How much does it cost to live in Budapest per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Budapest is approximately $1,704 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
What is the rent difference between Vienna and Budapest?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $1,167/month in Vienna and $956/month in Budapest.