Living costs: Czechia vs Hungary

Описание: 🇨🇿 Czechia is known for its castles, beer culture, and strong engineering tradition.
🇭🇺 Hungary stands out with thermal baths, paprika-rich cuisine, and deep musical roots.
But what does everyday life really cost in these two Central European countries? All prices shown in euros (€). 🧾💶

💰 Net Salary
Czech employees take home around €1,475, compared to €1,025 in Hungary. That’s a solid €450 gap each month — enough to impact your lifestyle and savings.

🏠 Rent
Nationwide averages show €727 in Czechia vs €510 in Hungary for a one-bedroom.
But if you’re heading for the capital, plan for about €1,000/month in Prague and €640 in Budapest.

💡 Utilities
Czech households pay roughly €270/month, while Hungarian bills sit at about €130. The gap mostly comes down to electricity costs.

⚡ Electricity
Czechia: €0.32/kWh
Hungary: €0.10/kWh
Hungary’s government still regulates household electricity, keeping prices among the lowest in the EU.

💸 VAT
Standard VAT: 21% in Czechia, 27% in Hungary (highest in the EU) — both already included in price tags.

Reduced VAT also applies in both: 15% in Czechia, 5% or 18% in Hungary, covering essentials like food, books, and public transport.

🎓 University Tuition
For English-taught Master’s degrees at public universities, expect around €4,000/year (≈ €333/month) in Czechia and €3,100/year (≈ €258/month) in Hungary.

This doesn’t include medicine, MBAs, or private institutions, which can cost much more.

🧖 Local Spa (Full-day Pass)
Wellness matters in both countries. We compared Saunia in Karlovy Vary (€37) with Széchenyi Baths in Budapest (€35) — both full-day entries with thermal pools, saunas, and steam.

🍰 Chimney Cake
Trdelník in Czechia and Kürtőskalács in Hungary — sweet dough roasted on a spit, rolled in cinnamon or sugar.
Basic versions cost €3.26 in Prague and €5.55 in Budapest, but if you add toppings like Nutella or ice cream, you’ll be closer to €6–7.

🍲 Gulyás or Svíčková? Drop your choice in the comments! 👇

📌 Sources: Numbeo, Eurostat, Mastersportal

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