Cost of living in Hungary in 2026

@Cheryl
Thanks for sharing this discussion, Cheryl. The cost of living in Hungary depends a lot on the city, but overall it is quite affordable compared to many European countries. Looking forward to hearing everyone’s experiences and tips. - @illashiza

Do you actually live in Hungary?

@Cheryl
Thanks for sharing this discussion, Cheryl. The cost of living in Hungary depends a lot on the city, but overall it is quite affordable compared to many European countries. Looking forward to hearing everyone’s experiences and tips. - @illashiza

I do live in Hungary and while tourists might think it cheap, the population is suffering.  No-one has any available money. I can tell that because of the low number of house construction projects going on.  When the economy is doing OK, everyone is fixing their houses.

Food, Power, Fuel are all pricey now.

We try to purchase  healthy foods and always cook at home.

Not saying we are the best cooks but we try.

I gave up veggie oils years ago, replaced with virgin olive oil , butter or coconut oil; Lard tastes nice with some foods but it too heavy for me.

We never buy the most expensive items or cuts of meat.

Even so I was just commenting today that it we spend around 12,000 to 14,000 ever 2 days, sometimes 3 days.

It adds up per week, per month and honestly we do not cook fancy foods.

I make deserts at home most times and we do not usually purchase chips and snacks that are processed.

Fruit, yogurt, cheese with some crackers or a handful of nuts are tv snacks if we even have any.

IDK, how people who eat 3 meals a day and have children get by.

We can turn a whole chicken in 4 different meals and not think twice about saving by not eating enough.

We try to purchase healthy foods and always cook at home.Not saying we are the best cooks but we try.I gave up veggie oils years ago, replaced with virgin olive oil , butter or coconut oil; Lard tastes nice with some foods but it too heavy for me.We never buy the most expensive items or cuts of meat.Even so I was just commenting today that it we spend around 12,000 to 14,000 ever 2 days, sometimes 3 days.It adds up per week, per month and honestly we do not cook fancy foods.I make deserts at home most times and we do not usually purchase chips and snacks that are processed.Fruit, yogurt, cheese with some crackers or a handful of nuts are tv snacks if we even have any.IDK, how people who eat 3 meals a day and have children get by.We can turn a whole chicken in 4 different meals and not think twice about saving by not eating enough. - @Marilyn Tassy

Eating healthily will do us all good.  I am somewhat off meat these days except chicken and fish. I drove past a butchers just this afternoon and I thought, that's where they sell dead animals. I never used to think like that. Steak and chips (fries) would have been my dinner of choice.  I am not sure why I'm thinking like that now.

As a diabetic, I have to avoid carbs and clearly sugar.  Mainly that means no bread and no cakes.  Root vegetables sound good but they are full of sugar.  It's quite limiting. I get intensely irritated seeing these Gluten Free products all over.  I am want to see Zero Sugar.  There are millions of diabetics worldwide mostly ignored.

Anyway, I concur, how people can feed their children here or anywhere, is a marvel of this age we are living in. People are inventive.   We all  live a comfy life in the burbs and our kids want for nothing - they have pretty much everything.  But these days I see others living more hand to mouth and I feel somewhat guilty at what might seem to be "excesses" of our existence.

@SimCityAT

Re cost of living 2026

Originally i just had a holiday home in Hungary and worked full time in the uk. Since retiring the cost of living in the uk has gone through the roof. Hungarian prices for food and utilities seem much more stable.

@SimCityAT
Re cost of living 2026
Originally i just had a holiday home in Hungary and worked full time in the uk. Since retiring the cost of living in the uk has gone through the roof. Hungarian prices for food and utilities seem much more stable. - @anns

What world are you living on?

@Marilyn Tassy

I think we all eat less when we retire. Ive always prefered my own cooking tho

@SimCityAT

Different than yours

@SimCityAT
Different than yours - @anns

As far as I know, supermarkets are or are close to cheaper in Austria than Hungary.

This is a massive change.  Hungary was always cheaper.  The world has changed.

@SimCityAT
Different than yours - @anns
As far as I know, supermarkets are or are close to cheaper in Austria than Hungary.
This is a massive change. Hungary was always cheaper. The world has changed. - @fluffy2560

I have been to the UK a lot this year, and the prices there haven't rocketed anymore than normal. This is coming from areas that sees the price increase sooner than others because of being in the countryside.

@SimCityAT
Different than yours - @anns
As far as I know, supermarkets are or are close to cheaper in Austria than Hungary.
This is a massive change. Hungary was always cheaper. The world has changed.  - @fluffy2560
I have been to the UK a lot this year, and the prices there haven't rocketed anymore than normal. This is coming from areas that sees the price increase sooner than others because of being in the countryside. - @SimCityAT

What do you think about the prices in AT and GB? 

Are they comparable?

@Marilyn Tassy
I think we all eat less when we retire. Ive always prefered my own cooking tho - @anns

I know you are a good cook.

It always seems to taste even better when someone else cooks.

I get sick of my own cooking, the idea sounds good but the results leave me wanting at times.

I am thinking of fasting for awhile; Only get slightly hungry when I am doing brain dead activities like watching U tube, otherwise I could go all day long without eating.

@SimCityAT
Different than yours - @anns
As far as I know, supermarkets are or are close to cheaper in Austria than Hungary.
This is a massive change. Hungary was always cheaper. The world has changed. - @fluffy2560
I have been to the UK a lot this year, and the prices there haven't rocketed anymore than normal. This is coming from areas that sees the price increase sooner than others because of being in the countryside.  - @SimCityAT
What do you think about the prices in AT and GB?
Are they comparable? - @fluffy2560

We shop around, and if we see a good bargain, then we will buy it. If we see 50% off coffee, we will buy a few packets. All because its close to sell by date. Beans don't go off in sealed vacuum package. Same with pastasta and rice. Well with rice. we will buy 12Kg sacks. Lasts a very long time.

@SimCityAT
Different than yours - @anns
As far as I know, supermarkets are or are close to cheaper in Austria than Hungary.
This is a massive change. Hungary was always cheaper. The world has changed. - @fluffy2560
I have been to the UK a lot this year, and the prices there haven't rocketed anymore than normal. This is coming from areas that sees the price increase sooner than others because of being in the countryside. - @SimCityAT
What do you think about the prices in AT and GB?
Are they comparable?  - @fluffy2560
We shop around, and if we see a good bargain, then we will buy it. If we see 50% off coffee, we will buy a few packets. All because its close to sell by date. Beans don't go off in sealed vacuum package. Same with pastasta and rice. Well with rice. we will buy 12Kg sacks. Lasts a very long time.
- @SimCityAT

We also tend to pick up a few extra items if they are on sale.

I go into a store just for bread and leave with 2 bags full.