Hungary: cost of living

How much is petrol in Hungary?

Unleaded 95 petrol cost an average of HUF 619 a litre in Hungary in September 2026, and diesel HUF 694, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) average consumer prices. In August petrol was HUF 584 and diesel HUF 662.

A year earlier, in September 2025, petrol cost HUF 587 and diesel HUF 590 a litre. The figures are monthly averages of prices observed across the country for the consumer price index, so they differ from the price at any one station on a given day.

Official sources: Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) average consumer prices

Are food prices falling in Hungary?

Food prices in Hungary were 1.3% lower in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) consumer price index, while overall consumer prices were 1.6% higher. Food prices fell 0.1% in the month.

Average prices of individual items show the change: a litre of long-life milk cost HUF 346 in September 2026 against HUF 403 a year earlier, and ten eggs HUF 814 against HUF 861, according to the KSH average consumer prices. These are national average prices collected for the price index.

Official sources: Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) consumer price index · KSH average consumer prices

How much is electricity in Hungary?

Household electricity cost an average of HUF 459 for 10 kWh in Hungary in September 2026, about HUF 46 a kilowatt-hour, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) average consumer prices. Natural gas cost HUF 155 per cubic metre.

Household electricity and gas prices in Hungary are regulated, and the regulator MEKH publishes the tariffs. The KSH figure is a national average price collected for the consumer price index, so a given household's price depends on its tariff and use. A year earlier, in September 2025, 10 kWh cost HUF 454.

Official sources: Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) average consumer prices

What is the poverty rate in Hungary?

19.5% of people in Hungary were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025, according to Eurostat, compared with 19.3% in 2024 and 19.7% in 2023.

The measure counts people who are at risk of poverty after social transfers (income below 60% of the national median), severely materially and socially deprived, or living in a household with very low work intensity. It is based on the EU-SILC survey, which in Hungary is run by KSH. The income part refers to the year before the survey, so 2025 figures reflect 2024 incomes.

Official sources: Eurostat

What is the average household income in Hungary?

Hungarian households had an average net income of HUF 2,773,233 per person in 2024, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH). Real income per person rose 8.6% on 2023, after falling 5.0% in 2023.

Average consumption spending was HUF 2,014,329 per person, and 56.5% of spending went on basic needs such as food, housing and energy. The figures come from the household budget and living conditions survey and are per person, not per household; dividing a household's income by its members makes households of different sizes comparable.

Official sources: Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH)

What is Hungary's inflation rate?

In 2025, consumer price inflation in Hungary was 4.4%, according to the IMF. The peak was 17.1% in 2023 and the low -0.2% in 2014. It is 13th highest of 48 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 3.7%. Of 165 countries with 2025 data, 42nd highest.

How much do households in Hungary spend per person?

$9,566: that is household consumption per person in Hungary for 2025, according to the World Bank. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was $11,266, and Hungary placed 30th highest of 44. Worldwide: 40th of 124.

What is the extreme poverty rate in Hungary?

0.9%: that is the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Hungary for 2017, according to the World Bank. The peak was 1.6% in 2016 and the low 0.1% in 2008. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 0.4%, and Hungary placed 15th highest of 43. Of 77 countries with 2017 data, 39th highest.

What share of Hungary lives below the poverty line?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2021, is 12.1%. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 15.9%; Hungary is 34th highest of 40. Worldwide: 62nd of 72.

How unequal are incomes in Hungary?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2017, is 30.6. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 34.7; its low point was 2009, at 27.0. It is 24th highest of 43 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 31.4. World rank, highest first: 57th of 77.

How many people in Hungary face food insecurity?

In 2024, moderate or severe food insecurity in Hungary was 16.9%, according to the FAO. That is the highest since at least 2015. Europe & Central Asia median: 7.6%; Hungary is 6th highest of 45. Worldwide: 73rd of 135.