Hungary🇭🇺

At a Glance

How Hungary compares across key indices

Quality of Life149Safety67Healthcare54Affordability45Climate80Clean Air46

Cost of Living

45 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

67/100

Healthcare

54/100

Quality of Life

149/200

Climate

80/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Hungary

Cost of Living

45

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

13

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

44

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

44

100 = NYC dining

Monthly costs range from $1,252 in Szeged to $1,667 in Budapest

City Costs Comparison

Szeged

Cheapest

$1,252/mo

Food$128

Debrecen

$1,337/mo

Food$128

Pecs

$1,381/mo

Food$130

Budapest

$1,667/mo

Food$162

Safety & Crime

Low Risk

How safe residents feel in Hungary — based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

67/100

Crime Index

33/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

48/100

Mixed perception

Walking Safety

Daytime84
Nighttime62

22 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Corruption & bribery
High65
Property crimes
Low42
Drug-related crime
Low38
Violent crimes
Very Low23

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Things stolen from car
Low35
Being insulted or harassed
Low33
Home broken into
Low30
Being physically attacked
Low28
Car stolen
Low28
Being mugged or robbed
Low27
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Low26

Based on 1,199 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Hungary

Hungary has 4 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,252 in Szeged to $1,667 in Budapest. Budapest leads on safety, scoring 66/100. Budapest ranks highest for quality of life at 142/200.

💸Most Affordable

Szeged

$1,252/mo

Safest

Budapest

66/100

Best Quality of Life

Budapest

142/200

Best Healthcare

Budapest

52/100

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Szeged$1,252————
Debrecen$1,337————
Pecs$1,381————
Budapest$1,66766/100142/20052/10053

Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Hungary

Healthcare Index

54/100

Quality Breakdown

Staff Skill & Competency62/100
Accuracy & Completeness56/100
Modern Equipment53/100
Friendliness & Courtesy48/100
Speed of Service41/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist30/100
Cost Satisfaction65/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 621 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Public
82.4%
Employer Sponsored
8.1%
Private
6.0%
None
3.5%
Healthcare54Safety67Quality of Life149
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Environment

Moderate

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Hungary

Pollution Index

46/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Drinking Water Quality81/100
Garbage Disposal66/100
Comfortable to Spend Time66/100
Green Spaces & Parks60/100
Clean & Tidy53/100
Air Quality52/100

Concerns

Noise & Light Pollution45/100
Water Pollution29/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 400 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in Hungary

Average One-Way Commute

35minutes

Average

Traffic Index

124

Moderate congestion

Inefficiency

129

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

2.8kg/trip

How People Commute

Car25.6%
Walking18.9%
Bus/Trolleybus18.4%
Train/Metro13.3%
Bicycle11.3%
Tram/Streetcar7.4%
Working from Home4.2%
Motorcycle1.0%

Based on 410 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Hungary, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Hungary?

Hungary has a cost of living index of 45 relative to New York City (100). It is moderately affordable compared to the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,252 in Szeged and reach $1,667 in Budapest.

What is the cheapest city in Hungary for expats?

Szeged is the most affordable city in Hungary with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $1,252 for a single person including rent. Debrecen is the next most affordable at $1,337/mo.

Is Hungary safe for expats?

Hungary has a safety index of 67/100, making it generally safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Budapest scores highest on safety at 66/100.

What is the best city in Hungary for expats and digital nomads?

Budapest ranks highest for quality of life in Hungary, scoring 142/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $1,667/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Szeged offers the lowest monthly costs at $1,252/mo.

How good is healthcare in Hungary?

Hungary scores 54/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it adequate by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.

Is Hungary cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Hungary's cost of living is roughly 55% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 87% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Hungary

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