Budapest ranks as one of the world’s most affordable places to rent a property in 2025!
Around a quarter of expats struggle with high living costs when they relocate; in fact, the cost of living in their new country is one of the main reasons many choose to move back home. So, where in the world is it most affordable for expats to rent a new home? Budapest was named the 3rd most affordable city for renting a property globally!
The research comes from the financial experts at Remitly, who analysed data from over 40 popular city destinations globally, to determine which are the world’s cheapest to move to in 2025.
Some people may find the dream of starting over in a new country a step too far, especially when economic concerns are factored in. Remitly wanted to explore what kind of costs you could expect when moving to different cities worldwide to start afresh.
To do this, they looked at a range of essential expenditures – from the cost of a working visa to initial outlays like six months’ rent, utilities, groceries, transport, and basic furnishings.
Which cities are most accessible for those looking to move abroad?
Which popular expat cities offer the cheapest cost to set yourself up for the first six months there? Asian, European, and North American spots all make the top 10, so let’s see where they are.
| Rank | City | Cost of a visa* | Six months rent | Rental deposit | Utilities + internet (six months) | Total basic furniture cost | Groceries (six months) | Public transport (six months) | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bangkok, Thailand | £37.52 | £1,493.18 | £248.86 | £380.93 | £392.47 | £891.46 | £124.11 | £3,659 |
| 2 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | £55.90 | £1,546.38 | £257.73 | £294.37 | £669.18 | £807.51 | £39.15 | £3,670 |
| 3 | Budapest, Hungary | £52.01 | £2,401.39 | £400.23 | £564.31 | £508.39 | £870.79 | £86.37 | £4,883 |
| 4 | Mexico City, Mexico | £51.56 | £2,334.42 | £389.07 | £341.89 | £468.94 | £1,367.78 | £128.33 | £5,082 |
| 5 | Taipei, Taiwan | £86.58 | £2,611.39 | £435.23 | £221.79 | £933.07 | £901.74 | £61.38 | £5,251 |
| 6 | Istanbul, Turkey | £206.20 | £2,916.28 | £486.05 | £316.46 | £577.51 | £939.79 | £192.72 | £5,635 |
| 7 | Athens, Greece | £156.04 | £2,544.74 | £424.12 | £829.98 | £559.55 | £1,071.03 | £117.95 | £5,703 |
| 8 | Tokyo, Japan | £17.32 | £2,894.84 | £482.47 | £756.85 | £458.07 | £1,553.44 | £229.17 | £6,392 |
| 9 | Málaga, Spain | £69.29 | £3,961.54 | £660.26 | £570.54 | £489.29 | £926.18 | £100.15 | £6,777 |
| 10 | Valencia, Spain | £69.29 | £4,112.91 | £685.49 | £589.5 | £489.29 | £946.82 | £114.03 | £7,007 |
*These figures are for the cost of a visa that will allow you to work within the country for more than six months. However, they should be used as rough guides only, as work visa prices will depend on your nationality, length of stay, type of work, employer sponsorship, and additional fees.
Budapest in 3rd place
Estimated cost of relocating: £4,884 ($7,062)
Budapest may only be third on the list, with an estimated total cost of £4.9k ($7.1k). However, it’s still the most affordable European city to relocate to in the analysis, followed only by Istanbul in sixth place. While rent for six months is higher than its Southeast Asian counterparts, averaging at £2,401, essentials in Hungary like groceries (£871) and public transport (£86) remain attractive.
What makes Budapest stand out is the quality of life relative to cost. You’re not just getting a cheap place to stay here; you’re getting everything else that goes with the sought-after city. It’s known for its stunning architecture, historic thermal baths, and thriving nightlife, which is increasingly popular with young professionals across Europe.
Read more news about Budapest HERE.
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