Budapest has landed in a surprising spot of a global quality-of-life ranking covering more than 300 cities. The Hungarian capital trails several Central European neighbours, including Vienna, Prague and Bratislava, although it scores higher than some of the world’s best-known metropolises. So what is behind its result, and where does Budapest stand out?
Budapest ranked 209th out of 303 cities, with a quality-of-life score of 142.5, according to a snapshot of Numbeo’s continuously updated index.
The index assesses everyday living conditions using eight indicators:
- Purchasing power
- Safety
- Healthcare
- Cost of living
- Property prices relative to income
- Commuting time
- Pollution
- Climate
These factors are combined into an overall score, with higher values indicating more favourable conditions under Numbeo’s methodology. The index draws partly on user-submitted data and surveys, meaning its results should be treated as an indicative comparison rather than a definitive judgment on where people should live.
Dutch cities dominate the global quality-of-life ranking
European cities dominate the top of the ranking, with the Netherlands accounting for six of the first ten places. The top 10 cities in the September ranking were:
- The Hague, Netherlands
- Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Utrecht, Netherlands
- Ghent, Belgium
- Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Stuttgart, Germany
- Groningen, Netherlands
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Gothenburg, Sweden
The Hague led the list with approximately 227.7 points. Its result reflects a combination of high purchasing power, favourable safety and healthcare indicators, relatively short commuting times and low pollution. Other leading Dutch cities also performed strongly across several of these measures.
The ranking illustrates why income alone does not determine a city’s overall result. High purchasing power can be offset by expensive housing, long journeys to work or unfavourable environmental conditions. Conversely, a city can score well by combining economic opportunities with relatively favourable everyday living conditions.
Cost of living in Hungary in 2026: rent, groceries, transport and monthly budgets
How does Budapest compare with other European capitals?
Budapest’s 142.5-point result placed it behind several nearby capitals. Prague received 178.6 points, Bratislava 159.1 and Warsaw 153.6, while Vienna scored approximately 205.
The comparison with major international cities produced a less predictable picture:
- Prague: 178.6 points
- Bratislava: 159.1 points
- Warsaw: 153.6 points
- London: 149.3 points
- Paris: 143.6 points
- Budapest: 142.5 points
- New York: 135.9 points
- Los Angeles: 131.6 points
While Budapest trails several Central European capitals, it ranks ahead of New York and Los Angeles in Numbeo’s overall index. The figures reflect a combination of economic, environmental and everyday living conditions rather than any single measure, such as wages or housing costs.
Why Budapest falls behind – and where it performs better
Compared with Prague, Budapest received a lower healthcare score: 52.1 points against the Czech capital’s 74.7. Its purchasing-power index was also lower, at 92.1 compared with Prague’s 113.9.
The commuting-time indicator was approximately 38.7 minutes for Budapest and 32 minutes for Prague. Housing affordability, however, was one area in which the Hungarian capital compared more favourably with its Czech counterpart.
Budapest’s safety index also offers a different perspective. At 66.4 points, it exceeded the corresponding figures for London, Paris and New York in the reported snapshot
Is Budapest still an affordable place to live?
Budapest’s cost-of-living index was approximately 54, below the 303-city median of 59. This distinction matters particularly for foreigners considering moving to Hungary. Someone earning a salary from abroad may experience the city’s prices differently from a resident relying on local wages.
Does that make Budapest a bargain? Not necessarily. Numbeo’s cost-of-living index excludes rent, and lower prices do not automatically translate into greater affordability for people earning local salaries. For those considering a move, however, there may be another financial advantage: recent moving data suggests relocating to Hungary can cost significantly less than moving to Spain from the same European countries.
The figures are based partly on user-submitted data and reflect the ranking reported on 19 September 2026. As Numbeo updates its index continuously, scores and positions may change.
Prices have definitely gone up a lot since I moved here 11 years ago. In some instances double or even more for restaurants. But, overall, and compared to cities in the US and other Western European cities, I still find Budapest to be an affordable option. Budapest is also safer and cleaner than many other western cities. As a retiree, the free public transit for those over 65 make it an even better bargain.