Where is shopping cheaper: in England or in Hungary?
The entire world is fighting inflation at the moment, even the strongest economies are struggling. Food prices are rising the fastest in England, Germany and the United States, but what about Hungary? A research carried out by Pénzcentrum compares Hungary and England and finds out where shopping is cheaper.
Food prices have risen by around 27 percent in Hungary
According to Agrárszektor, in July 2020, compared to the same period of the previous year, the price of food increased by 7.8 percent. This seemed to decrease by 2021, when the price increase was only 3.1 percent. However, by July 2022, food prices had risen by around 27 percent. In addition, experts believe that we can expect futher price increases in the fall. Based on a survey carried out by KSH, margarine (65.8 percent), bread (57.9 percent), cheese (52.6 percent), dry pasta (49.1 percent), dairy products (43.8 percent), poultry meat (38.8 percent), pastries (38.5 percent) and eggs (37.5 percent) became the most expensive.
These products are cheaper in the USA
Pénzcentrum collected the products that are cheaper in the USA than in Hungary. For example, Heinz ketchup is cheaper in the USA than in Hungary, where an 800 ml bottle costs HUF 2,100 (EUR 5,15). Moreover, the 20 dkg of feta cheese costs roughly half as much at home. The HUF 770 (EUR 1,89), quarter-kilo mushroom is quite expensive, at home it is HUF 1,270 (EUR 3,12) according to KSH, but the American mushroom is sliced and packaged. Eggs, on the other hand, cost much more: HUF 150 (EUR 0,37) per piece, while at home, they cost HUF 64.1 (EUR 0,16).
Is shopping cheaper in England?
The price of margarine in England is roughly the same as it is in Hungary. However, it can be found much cheaper in some Hungarian stores. The cheapest half-brown bread in England is also about the same as in Hungary. In addition, the own-brand spaghetti is almost exactly the same price. On the other hand, Barilla is significantly cheaper. It is surprising that the price of minced beef is better abroad, writes Pénzcentrum. In England, it is around HUF 2,600 (EUR 6,38) per kilo, while at home it is HUF 3,800 – 4,000 (EUR 9,32 – 9,81). The price of minced pork is the same while chicken breast is much cheaper here beacuse of the price reguation. Milk is also available at the official price, Hungarians can get it for HUF 282 (EUR 0,69) a liter. Tesco cheese is cheaper here, as are eggs roughly half or three-quarters of the price.
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Source: agrarszektor.hu, penzcentrum.hu
I get most of my food shopping here in Budapest from Tesco home delivery. My sister lives in England and sometimes we compare prices so I started doing a like for like comparison with Tesco Home delivery in England.For the same items, the Tesco in Hungary is always around 15% cheaper, despite food being zero rated for VAT in the UK.
P.S The 15% is on the whole bill, not per item. Some items as mentioned above like beef mince is a lot cheaper there. Also white goods and TV’s are cheaper in Hungary, even well known makes like Miele and Samsung – I speak from experience.
Post Modern – Minimum Wage Hungary compared to Minimum Wage in the United Kingdom ???
This substantial variance – Hungary massively lower than the UK – think this should not be forgotten – when we look at “cost of living” comparisons – in this case Food ???
Disposable income – of ordinary – don’t like this example – Hungarian compared to a British person – imagine British person – over-all – would have greater spending power ???
Skyrocketing food prices in Hungary – and never forgetting we don’t in Hungary – the variety of Food choices or brands – like in the UK – to choose from.
There is GOUGING occuring, but thats life of the 21st century that could be expressed as “Its a Dog eat Dog World we Live in.”
Concur – White Goods in Hungary prices – as you commented.
Post Modern – Minimum Wage Hungary compared to Minimum Wage in the United Kingdom ???
This substantial variance – Hungary massively lower than the UK – think this should not be forgotten – when we look at “cost of living” comparisons – in this case Food ???
Disposable income – of ordinary – don’t like this example – Hungarian compared to a British person – imagine British person – over-all – would have greater spending power ???
Skyrocketing food prices in Hungary – and never forgetting we don’t in Hungary – the variety of Food choices or brands – like in the UK – to choose from.
There is GOUGING occuring, but thats life of the 21st century that could be expressed as “Its a Dog eat Dog World we Live in.”
Concur – White Goods in Hungary prices – as you commented.
Question BECKONS – the Nadir trend Hungary is in at present – all resting on the head of their present “Dictatorial” – Prime Minister & his Government – without the HIGHEST vat at 27% – in the EU – the “deeper” Nadir decending hole Hungary would FACTUALLY be in ???
@ a: you fail to appreciate that the cost of living in the UK (rent, house prices, energy, transport etc etc are much, much higher in the UK (like 10x as much and more) as are taxes (except VAT) and every property has an annual property tax. So yes, wages are higher but they buy less. The average property price in London is around 530,000 GBP, (262 million forints), the average price for the whole of England (which has some very poor areas in the North) is 299,249 GBP (148 million forints) and the average for the whole of the UK is 281,161 GBP (139 million forints). The take home pay of a London bus driver ie after tax etc per month is 1,876 GBP (around 926,000 forints). The maximum mortgage one can get is 4x annual income so a bus driver could get a mortgage of just over 90,000 GBP (44.5 million forints). Not enough to buy a parking space in London. People ARE NOT well off in the UK, generally speaking, it is a myth that the streets are paved with gold.
@ a: read and learn – A tiny studio flat in London, which has an oven and fridge next to the bed, is on the market to rent for an eye-watering £1,146.86 a month.
The property, located in Streatham, South London is described as a ‘studio flat’ and is offered furnished – consisting of a double bed, mattress and a wardrobe.
Not even central.
Post Modern – Appreciated explanations.
1971-1981- part of a “layer” in my life study/living in the UK – interesting decade.
The future – SCARY.