The average monthly net salary in Hungary’s wealthiest settlement reached HUF 920,000 in 2025, compared with just HUF 75,000 in the poorest, which shows the country’s stark regional inequalities, according to a new analysis by GKI.

Where people live in Hungary can make a dramatic difference to their income. Data analysed by GKI Economic Research Co., based on 2025 personal income tax records from the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV), reveal a striking divide between the country’s richest and poorest settlements.

Telki tops the rankings as Csenyéte struggles

Telki, a village in Pest County near Budapest, recorded the highest average monthly net salary at HUF 920,000 (more than EUR 2,500). This compares with just HUF 75,000 (EUR 205.80) in Csenyéte, in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County. The difference means Telki’s average was approximately 12.3 times higher than Csenyéte’s.

Other affluent settlements included Nagykovácsi, with HUF 864,000 (EUR 2,370), Budajenő at HUF 848,000 (EUR 2,330) and Üröm at HUF 836,000 (EUR 2,295). Meanwhile, eight of the ten lowest-income settlements were located in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, in north-eastern Hungary.

GKI cautioned that these figures represent average salary calculated from tax records, rather than conventional average salaries. Employment rates, population composition and the proportion of residents earning taxable work income all influence the results.

Budapest earns almost 50% more than villages

Hungary’s average monthly net salary reached HUF 521,000 (~EUR 1,430) in 2025, an increase of 9.9% compared with the previous year. However, the figures varied considerably by settlement type. Budapest recorded HUF 666,000 (~EUR 1,830) per month, compared with HUF 550,000 (EUR 1,510) in county seats, HUF 502,000 (~EUR 1,380) in other towns and HUF 449,000 (EUR ~1,230) in villages.

Consequently, the capital’s average salary was approximately 48% higher than that of rural settlements. At county level, Pest led with HUF 577,000 (~EUR 1,580), followed by Győr-Moson-Sopron at HUF 553,000 (EUR ~1,520). Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg ranked last, with HUF 412,000 (EUR 1,130).

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Are Hungary’s poorest regions catching up?

There is some encouraging news: GKI found that work incomes generally grew faster in percentage terms in less affluent areas during 2025. Researchers partly attributed this to increases in the minimum wage and guaranteed minimum wage.

Nevertheless, faster percentage growth has not necessarily narrowed the gap in cash terms. Average monthly net incomes increased by HUF 60,000 (EUR 165) in Budapest and HUF 54,000 (EUR 138) in Pest County, compared with HUF 38,000 (EUR 104) in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg.

According to GKI, geographical location accounts for more than 80% of differences in work income between settlements. Although poorer regions are gradually catching up, the figures suggest that where people live remains a major factor in their economic prospects.

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