City Comparison · Updated May 2026
Hungary
COL index 44.8
Poland
COL index 51.3
Budapest vs Warsaw — Cost of Living, Salary & Tax Compared (2026)
The verdict
Living in Budapest is 12.7% cheaper than Warsaw for the same lifestyle.
Based on Q1 2026 COL index and median single-person expenditure.
Side-by-side stats
| Budapest | Metric | Warsaw | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44.8 | Cost of living index | 51.3 | +14.5% |
| €50,000 | Median gross salary | €50,000 | 0.0% |
| €34,638 | Net at €50,000 gross | €41,568 | +20.0% |
| €880 | Rent — 1BR centre | €950 | +8.0% |
| €1,342 | Monthly COL (single) | €1,458 | +8.6% |
| €77,316 | PPP — net / COL | €81,028 | +4.8% |
| 30.7% | Effective tax @ €50,000 | 16.9% | -45.1% |
Monthly expenses — paired
Salary equivalence
€50,000 gross in Hungary = €2,886 net monthly.
To have the same purchasing power in Warsaw, you would need roughly €47,492 gross in Poland (≈ €3,305 net monthly, adjusted for cost-of-living index).
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Pros & cons
- +Lower rent (€880 vs €950)
- +Low overall cost of living (index 45)
- +Favourable tax rate (16.9%)
The verdict
Across the data, Warsaw delivers a higher take-home on a €50,000 gross salary; Budapest carries a lower cost-of-living index; Warsaw has the lighter effective tax burden; Warsaw wins on purchasing power after costs are netted out. If purchasing power is your north star, Warsaw edges it.
Frequently asked
Is Budapest cheaper than Warsaw?+
Budapest is cheaper. Cost-of-living index: Budapest 44.8, Warsaw 51.3 — a 12.7% difference (Q1 2026).
What is the cost of living difference between Budapest and Warsaw?+
Budapest sits at 44.8 on our COL index, Warsaw at 51.3. That works out to roughly 12.7% — Budapest being the cheaper of the two.
Is Budapest a good place to live compared to Warsaw?+
It depends on priorities. Budapest delivers €34,638 net on a €50,000 gross salary at a 30.7% effective tax rate. Warsaw delivers €41,568 at 16.9%. Centre 1-bed rent: €880 vs €950.
How do salaries compare in Budapest vs Warsaw?+
On a €50,000 gross salary, take-home is €34,638/year (€2,886/month) in Budapest and €41,568/year (€3,464/month) in Warsaw.
Which city has lower taxes, Budapest or Warsaw?+
Poland has the lower effective rate at €50,000: Hungary 30.7%, Poland 16.9%.