Is it really possible to live in Hungary with $1,500/month income?

Hello everyone,
I still live in the U.S., but I want to move back to Northern Hungary (I lived there when I was a kid) where I will have a fully paid-off house in the countryside and a car. I’m a Hungarian citizen, fluent in Hungarian, and I really dislike restaurants and traveling (I'm a homebody) — my goal is a very simple, peaceful life growing my own food and living quietly.

My concern is that I will only have about $1,500 USD income per month to live on. Is it truly realistic to live comfortably in Hungary countryside on that budget, given current costs?

I cannot afford live in the US anymore. I want to move back to Europe.

I’d appreciate honest, real-world feedback from those who have actually lived in Hungary more in the countryside area. I'm not referring to cities or Budapest of course.

Thanks in advance. - @juliet1980

You were here 10 months ago asking similar questions about Portugal and if I remember correctly, Hungary as well.   The situation is the same as back then except it's a lot more expensive than it was.  Things are not going well.  Food from the supermarket is rumoured to be much cheaper in Austria.   Growing your own is unlikely to give you everything you need. 

Net $1500 is a very reasonable salary for a clerical worker in a government office (for example).   Pensions are much less than that and people struggle.  Other costs like fuel, electricity, gas are quite high still (thank Putin).  But at least you can use the state health care without high cost.  It's become run down but in an emergency, it works.

Hello everyone,I still live in the U.S., but I want to move back to Northern Hungary (I lived there when I was a kid) where I will have a fully paid-off house in the countryside and a car. I’m a Hungarian citizen, fluent in Hungarian, and I really dislike restaurants and traveling (I'm a homebody) — my goal is a very simple, peaceful life growing my own food and living quietly. My concern is that I will only have about $1,500 USD income per month to live on. Is it truly realistic to live comfortably in Hungary countryside on that budget, given current costs?I cannot afford live in the US anymore. I want to move back to Europe.I’d appreciate honest, real-world feedback from those who have actually lived in Hungary more in the countryside area. I'm not referring to cities or Budapest of course.Thanks in advance. - @juliet1980You were here 10 months ago asking similar questions about Portugal and if I remember correctly, Hungary as well. The situation is the same as back then except it's a lot more expensive than it was. Things are not going well. Food from the supermarket is rumoured to be much cheaper in Austria. Growing your own is unlikely to give you everything you need. Net $1500 is a very reasonable salary for a clerical worker in a government office (for example). Pensions are much less than that and people struggle. Other costs like fuel, electricity, gas are quite high still (thank Putin). But at least you can use the state health care without high cost. It's become run down but in an emergency, it works. - @fluffy2560

Yes, back then I was also looking into Portugal but have since crossed it off the list because Portugal's climate is too hot for me. I can't handle that climate. I understand Northern Hungary is hot too... but mostly during summer and Portugal everywhere seems far hotter.

My $1,500/month income would not be coming from a job so I am not concerned about the job market in Hungary, it would be from my investments. I am merely trying to determine whether it is really realistic for me to live in Northern Hungary if I have $1,500/income.

You wrote "But at least you can use the state health care without high cost.  It's become run down but in an emergency, it works.".

It's still much better than in the US where I literally cannot even afford healthcare even with health insurance!

What lowest income would you say is the cut off to me being able to live there comfortably with house and car fully paid off, $1,200/month?

Yes, back then I was also looking into Portugal but have since crossed it off the list because Portugal's climate is too hot for me. I can't handle that climate. I understand Northern Hungary is hot too... but mostly during summer and Portugal everywhere seems far hotter.
My $1,500/month income would not be coming from a job so I am not concerned about the job market in Hungary, it would be from my investments. I am merely trying to determine whether it is really realistic for me to live in Northern Hungary if I have $1,500/income.

You wrote "But at least you can use the state health care without high cost. It's become run down but in an emergency, it works.".

It's still much better than in the US where I literally cannot even afford healthcare even with health insurance!

What lowest income would you say is the cut off to me being able to live there comfortably with house and car fully paid off, $1,200/month? - @juliet1980

Probably yes, you can survive on $1200 a month.  You probably would do ok.   Plenty of people here survive on less.

Of course, it depends what you want to spend money on. 

Northern Hungary is the back of beyond.  If you ever wanted a  job, you need to be near a city or a large town. It's also where all the services like hospitals are.   

My dream is to have at least 3 acres (minimum 2) in northern Hungary, which I know is very rare in that location. I’m visiting in two months to see what’s possible — worst case, I’ll buy land and build my long term small house. I just want a peaceful, simple life, and it’s great to know I could make it work on $1,500 a month.

My other worry is that it seems it doesn't really snow in Northern Hungary anymore? I LOVE snow. I'm crossing fingers I will get at least some snow if I live in Northern Hungary.

It should be enough money to live on since you have a paid off home and car. You do mention though wanting to buy more land and built another home.

IDK? $1,500 is not enough for big dreams.

No idea about how much snow fall there is in N.Hungary.

Budapest does not get much at all.

My HU husband said there is not much work around that area so people around you may or may not be on the hunt for doing anything for income.

Could be allot more break ins and such, desperate people do desperate things.

My dream is to have at least 3 acres (minimum 2) in northern Hungary, which I know is very rare in that location. I’m visiting in two months to see what’s possible — worst case, I’ll buy land and build my long term small house. I just want a peaceful, simple life, and it’s great to know I could make it work on $1,500 a month. My other worry is that it seems it doesn't really snow in Northern Hungary anymore? I LOVE snow. I'm crossing fingers I will get at least some snow if I live in Northern Hungary. - @juliet1980

You need to know if you can build on the land.  Real Estate agents are likely to lie to you in order to get a sale. 

In any case, usually it's 3% of the land could be built on if it's agricultural zoned.  It'll allow you to have a shed or shack to store tools etc.  Probably good for a weekend in good weather but a problem in the winter.   Your biggest problem will be utilities.  Water is especially problematic - extremely expensive to lay on unless there's a tested well.

Best thing would be an existing house with attached land, even if the house would be knocked down so that utilities are on site.   Maybe you could use solar for electricity and wood for heating.

In Hungary, large amounts of snow has not been seen for some years.  Probably climate change.  It's cold but there's less rainfall.  Might be a problem in the future.   I'm considering installing an underground water tank to water the garden in the summer.

My dream is to have at least 3 acres (minimum 2) in northern Hungary, which I know is very rare in that location. I’m visiting in two months to see what’s possible — worst case, I’ll buy land and build my long term small house. I just want a peaceful, simple life, and it’s great to know I could make it work on $1,500 a month. My other worry is that it seems it doesn't really snow in Northern Hungary anymore? I LOVE snow. I'm crossing fingers I will get at least some snow if I live in Northern Hungary.  - @juliet1980
You need to know if you can build on the land. Real Estate agents are likely to lie to you in order to get a sale.
In any case, usually it's 3% of the land could be built on if it's agricultural zoned. It'll allow you to have a shed or shack to store tools etc. Probably good for a weekend in good weather but a problem in the winter. Your biggest problem will be utilities. Water is especially problematic - extremely expensive to lay on unless there's a tested well.

Best thing would be an existing house with attached land, even if the house would be knocked down so that utilities are on site. Maybe you could use solar for electricity and wood for heating.

In Hungary, large amounts of snow has not been seen for some years. Probably climate change. It's cold but there's less rainfall. Might be a problem in the future. I'm considering installing an underground water tank to water the garden in the summer. - @fluffy2560

How much do you estimate cost to dig a well? I cannot imagine it would be more expensive than in the US!

How much do you estimate cost to dig a well? I cannot imagine it would be more expensive than in the US! - @juliet1980

Just a guess based on my info of 10+ years ago, $5K+.  That's about 1.7M HUF.  Could be much more, like $10K. Best to Google it.

Around here, it would be a drilling job and need a pump for the borehole.  It's not complicated. My MIL/FIL have a well and it has a pump etc.  No-one really uses it there now they've gone.

A lot of country places do have wells but the water quality would need testing to determine if you can drink it or just use it for the garden.  Last time I looked, to use water from a well, a licence was needed and the extraction was limited to 6m3 per day.  That's a lot of water - 6000 litres.

@juliet1980

If you own your own home and have a car on the road it is possible to live very comfortably day to day on that amount.

If you want to rent somewhere in central Budapest that would be difficult because rents have risen enormously over the last few years. All other utility bills are affordable on that income.

Hello everyone,
I still live in the U.S., but I want to move back to Northern Hungary (I lived there when I was a kid) where I will have a fully paid-off house in the countryside and a car. I’m a Hungarian citizen, fluent in Hungarian, and I really dislike restaurants and traveling (I'm a homebody) — my goal is a very simple, peaceful life growing my own food and living quietly.

My concern is that I will only have about $1,500 USD income per month to live on. Is it truly realistic to live comfortably in Hungary countryside on that budget, given current costs?

I cannot afford live in the US anymore. I want to move back to Europe.

I’d appreciate honest, real-world feedback from those who have actually lived in Hungary more in the countryside area. I'm not referring to cities or Budapest of course.

Thanks in advance. - @juliet1980
You were here 10 months ago asking similar questions about Portugal and if I remember correctly, Hungary as well. The situation is the same as back then except it's a lot more expensive than it was. Things are not going well. Food from the supermarket is rumoured to be much cheaper in Austria. Growing your own is unlikely to give you everything you need.

Net $1500 is a very reasonable salary for a clerical worker in a government office (for example). Pensions are much less than that and people struggle. Other costs like fuel, electricity, gas are quite high still (thank Putin). But at least you can use the state health care without high cost. It's become run down but in an emergency, it works. - @fluffy2560

Even the prices in Austria are rising a lot, and we have noticed that restaurant prices have shot up.

Even the prices in Austria are rising a lot, and we have noticed that restaurant prices have shot up. - @SimCityAT

Yes, it's becoming unaffordable.  I think a lot of places will close down. 

I'm going to a small do at an all you can eat and drink buffet restaurant in a couple of days.  There will be 5 people.   It's about 12K HUF a head.  12K HUF is about 30 EUR a pop.   So no change out of 60K HUF.

I am not sure why prices are up but it must be utilities, rent, cost of materials,  rising wage costs and taxes.  Not really much else it can be blamed on. 

An evening shift in a pub pays a worker about 20K HUF cash in hand.    That's about 50 EUR.   It's easy to spend 20K HUF in a couple of seconds here.   

We don't travel far in our cars, just local so we don't fill them up to the top.   Our standard fuel purchase for one of the car used to be 10K HUF, now it's beginning to be 15K HUF.    We're not driving more than before - I only take the dog walking places, maybe the shops and Mrs F goes to work 11km away but only 3 days a week.   Yet our costs have risen.

BTW, I was planning extensive renovation of my 30m2 shed.  We thought a budget of 7M HUF (20K USD) would do it.  Now I think we're looking at 12-15M HUF (34-43K USD).  Materials have become very expensive.  Partially it's VAT (sales tax to US folks) and it's horrible at 27%.  Outrageously high and different to the neighbouring countries (AT: 20% approx, SK: 23%).  For some big ticket item, it's better to buy abroad and collect it in person.  AT is only 200km away and one can make a day of it.  It can be worth it. SK, now they upped VAT, forget it, it's marginal.

Most people do earn about 500-600 $ after tax, so with 1200-1500 $, when not even need to pay rents that means  "Richie Rich".

How much do you estimate cost to dig a well? I cannot imagine it would be more expensive than in the US! - @juliet1980
Just a guess based on my info of 10+ years ago, $5K+. That's about 1.7M HUF. Could be much more, like $10K. Best to Google it.
Around here, it would be a drilling job and need a pump for the borehole. It's not complicated. My MIL/FIL have a well and it has a pump etc. No-one really uses it there now they've gone.

A lot of country places do have wells but the water quality would need testing to determine if you can drink it or just use it for the garden. Last time I looked, to use water from a well, a licence was needed and the extraction was limited to 6m3 per day. That's a lot of water - 6000 litres. - @fluffy256

Wells were used when there was no running water. You also have to be sure that you will have water for a well.

Wells needs permission and licensing if deep (Ártézi víz), which is expensive.

A simple groundwater not that hard, but may good only for the garden, not as drinking quality without extra filters.

Like bring a similar before relocation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk8IbC-zRTo

They have factory in Poland as well, but maybe the filters are from the US.

Wells needs permission and licensing if deep (Ártézi víz), which is expensive.A simple groundwater not that hard, but may good only for the garden, not as drinking quality without extra filters. Like bring a similar before relocation:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk8IbC-zRToThey have factory in Poland as well, but maybe the filters are from the US. - @sjbabilon5

Yes, garden only.   If one was doing a renovation, it would be possible to install separate pipework from a cistern/tank collected from rainwater, filter it for particulates and use in the toilets and washing machine etc. 

A well could also be used for that and the garden but a decent tank with automatic top up would be a lot easier to regulate.

For drinking water, filter it and UV it after passing all the tests.  Not that difficult to organise if off- or on- grid.

BTW, we're getting some really weird bills from the Fovari Vizmuvek (Budapest/Capital City Water Company) which seems to have taken over our village's water supply.   

Yesterday we got about 5 bills of varying amounts which seem to net out at a certain amount. Then today we got a bunch of credit notes cancelling at least 2 of the 5 bills we received.  Why bother sending any of them but the final amount.

We have not got a clue what is going on.  No-one told us the water supply was being taken over by Budapest.  We're not even in Budapest but the District II border is about 200m away.  I thought it was being run by the Town Hall.   Looks like it's been contract out.  And prices have increased.

@fluffy2560

Computers

Most people do earn about 500-600 $ after tax, so with 1200-1500 $, when not even need to pay rents that means "Richie Rich". - @sjbabilon5

True but I believe there usually is 2 income households here.

At least with younger couples who are trying to buy a home and start a family later.

Family usually helps with childcare so new moms can go back to work quickly;

They have that new low interest loan of 3 percent for new buyers; Not sure who qualifies for that but I am sure they need a job for awhile, show they have paid their TAJ and taxes for 2 or 3 years min.

IDK the average rent in Budapest now but am guessing around  $600 to nearly $1,000 depending on the district and size of flat.

$1,500 is decent but not going to be high on the hog either.

Inflation and the devalue of the US dollar make things pricier  then they were just a couple years ago.

We cook at home all the time, do not buy prime cuts of meat or out of season produce and it seems every day or two it is 18,000 out  then a quick bread run turns into another 10,000 and so on.

We do not buy smokes or much booze, just a couple beers and one bottle of wine every few days.

I am not keeping record but I would guess we spend close to $80; to $100; a week just for simple homemade foods;

We do not eat allot of pasta dishes and starches so meat and produce is the bulk of the cost.

If we paid rent we would be spending well over $1,500 a month and just living a simple life.

@juliet1980

In your situation, already having a home to go to, you will live very easily on this amount of income.

I think you could also save a little to pay for extra trips.

As of 06/11/25

$1,500 = 504,372.82 HF

$1,500 = €1,303.55

$1,500 = 1,148.26 GBP

It might sound a lot, but it's not in reality when prices are increasing all the time. 

As of 06/11/25$1,500 = 504,372.82 HUF$1,500 = €1,303.55$1,500 = 1,148.26 GBPIt might sound a lot, but it's not in reality when prices are increasing all the time. - @SimCityAT

I agree it's difficult. 

My MIL's pension was far less at 250K HUF a month and it's wasn't a luxury life - no car, no holidays, no partying.

Prices in HU are way too high now.  General perception is the basic prices are 2-3 x higher than they were say, 18m ago.

Energy and food prices  have risen perhaps more than anything else.

And the 27% VAT is really tough on everyone.

@juliet1980

I know nothing about costs in the US but I have a homes in Hungary and in the UK.

I don't think I could afford to live US , Australia or the UK full time.

For example my utility bills in the UK per winter day is now equal to a months bills in Hungary.

I think you will do fine.

@juliet1980

Hi Juliet it's  not easy to live in hungary unless your a EU citizen

@juliet1980
Hi Juliet it's not easy to live in hungary unless your a EU citizen - @davidpaulmitchell2365

Or have a family member who is a EU citizen.

Many people who have lived in Hungary for years and are from the UK, were grandfathered in before Brexit.

@juliet1980

Juliet, I lived in the USA for 40 years, moved back to Budapest 6 years ago. I was born here.

You can definitely live on $1500 per month easily, because you will have  a house to stay in. Food is still much cheaper than in the USA and also utilities. You can also keep a car  and travel some. What I found more expensive here is clothing. It seems to me that you do not like to eat out a lot, so you are fine, Restaurants became high priced here in the last couple years.

Yes it is snow in the northern part of Hungary, That is the coldest area.

If you need any help and advise let me know.

@juliet1980 Hi Juliet it's not easy to live in hungary unless your a EU citizen  - @davidpaulmitchell2365Or have a family member who is a EU citizen.Many people who have lived in Hungary for years and are from the UK, were grandfathered in before Brexit. - @Marilyn Tassy

That's right.

We have "Article 50" residence permits. 

The Article is one of the articles of the Withdrawal Agreement (WA).

We keep our rights but they are actually limited in many ways.  We no longer have working rights outside of Hungary.

We might get some rights back as there's a negotiation going on where the UK pays into the EU budget on the basis of free movement of goods being expanded.  I didn't really look into it much.  Mainly I think things like eggs, cheese, dairy and meat products.