City Comparison · Updated May 2026
Romania
COL index 38.2
Hungary
COL index 44.8
Bucharest vs Budapest — Cost of Living, Salary & Tax Compared (2026)
The verdict
Living in Bucharest is 14.7% cheaper than Budapest for the same lifestyle.
Based on Q1 2026 COL index and median single-person expenditure.
Side-by-side stats
| Bucharest | Metric | Budapest | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38.2 | Cost of living index | 44.8 | +17.3% |
| €50,000 | Median gross salary | €50,000 | 0.0% |
| €29,250 | Net at €50,000 gross | €34,638 | +18.4% |
| €680 | Rent — 1BR centre | €880 | +29.4% |
| €1,076 | Monthly COL (single) | €1,342 | +24.7% |
| €76,571 | PPP — net / COL | €77,316 | +1.0% |
| 41.5% | Effective tax @ €50,000 | 30.7% | -26.0% |
Monthly expenses — paired
Salary equivalence
€50,000 gross in Romania = €2,438 net monthly.
To have the same purchasing power in Budapest, you would need roughly €49,517 gross in Hungary (≈ €2,859 net monthly, adjusted for cost-of-living index).
Affiliate disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. WorthOf may earn a commission if you sign up. This does not affect our data, our methodology, or our editorial independence.
Pros & cons
- +Significantly cheaper rent (€680)
- +Low overall cost of living (index 38)
- −Heavy tax burden (41.5%)
- +Low overall cost of living (index 45)
The verdict
Across the data, Budapest delivers a higher take-home on a €50,000 gross salary; Bucharest carries a lower cost-of-living index; Budapest has the lighter effective tax burden; Budapest wins on purchasing power after costs are netted out. If purchasing power is your north star, Budapest edges it.
Frequently asked
Is Bucharest cheaper than Budapest?+
Bucharest is cheaper. Cost-of-living index: Bucharest 38.2, Budapest 44.8 — a 14.7% difference (Q1 2026).
What is the cost of living difference between Bucharest and Budapest?+
Bucharest sits at 38.2 on our COL index, Budapest at 44.8. That works out to roughly 14.7% — Bucharest being the cheaper of the two.
Is Bucharest a good place to live compared to Budapest?+
It depends on priorities. Bucharest delivers €29,250 net on a €50,000 gross salary at a 41.5% effective tax rate. Budapest delivers €34,638 at 30.7%. Centre 1-bed rent: €680 vs €880.
How do salaries compare in Bucharest vs Budapest?+
On a €50,000 gross salary, take-home is €29,250/year (€2,438/month) in Bucharest and €34,638/year (€2,886/month) in Budapest.
Which city has lower taxes, Bucharest or Budapest?+
Hungary has the lower effective rate at €50,000: Romania 41.5%, Hungary 30.7%.