City Comparison · Updated May 2026
Hungary
COL index 44.8
Austria
COL index 66.8
Budapest vs Vienna — Cost of Living, Salary & Tax Compared (2026)
The verdict
Living in Budapest is 32.9% cheaper than Vienna for the same lifestyle.
Based on Q1 2026 COL index and median single-person expenditure.
Side-by-side stats
| Budapest | Metric | Vienna | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44.8 | Cost of living index | 66.8 | +49.1% |
| €50,000 | Median gross salary | €50,000 | 0.0% |
| €34,638 | Net at €50,000 gross | €32,660 | -5.7% |
| €880 | Rent — 1BR centre | €1,480 | +68.2% |
| €1,342 | Monthly COL (single) | €2,165 | +61.3% |
| €77,316 | PPP — net / COL | €48,893 | -36.8% |
| 30.7% | Effective tax @ €50,000 | 34.7% | +12.9% |
Monthly expenses — paired
Salary equivalence
€50,000 gross in Hungary = €2,886 net monthly.
To have the same purchasing power in Vienna, you would need roughly €89,771 gross in Austria (≈ €4,304 net monthly, adjusted for cost-of-living index).
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Pros & cons
- +Significantly cheaper rent (€880)
- +Low overall cost of living (index 45)
- −High rent-to-income ratio (54.4%)
The verdict
Across the data, Budapest delivers a higher take-home on a €50,000 gross salary; Budapest 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 Budapest cheaper than Vienna?+
Budapest is cheaper. Cost-of-living index: Budapest 44.8, Vienna 66.8 — a 32.9% difference (Q1 2026).
What is the cost of living difference between Budapest and Vienna?+
Budapest sits at 44.8 on our COL index, Vienna at 66.8. That works out to roughly 32.9% — Budapest being the cheaper of the two.
Is Budapest a good place to live compared to Vienna?+
It depends on priorities. Budapest delivers €34,638 net on a €50,000 gross salary at a 30.7% effective tax rate. Vienna delivers €32,660 at 34.7%. Centre 1-bed rent: €880 vs €1,480.
How do salaries compare in Budapest vs Vienna?+
On a €50,000 gross salary, take-home is €34,638/year (€2,886/month) in Budapest and €32,660/year (€2,722/month) in Vienna.
Which city has lower taxes, Budapest or Vienna?+
Hungary has the lower effective rate at €50,000: Hungary 30.7%, Austria 34.7%.