The Verdict
Living in Birmingham is 25% more expensive than Budapest.
If you move from Birmingham to Budapest, you will pay less for housing and less for daily groceries. To maintain the same standard of life as a £40,000 salary in Birmingham, you would need to earn about £25,714 in Budapest.
of 6 categories
categories
of 6 categories
Category Breakdown
Compare costs across 6 key categories
City Profiles
What makes each city unique
Why people love Birmingham:
Why people love Budapest:
Real Monthly Costs
Estimated costs based on London baseline prices
| Expense | Birmingham | Budapest | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment (city centre) | £1,000 | £700 | £-300 |
| Monthly groceries | £329 | £168 | £-161 |
| Dining out (10 meals) | £195 | £105 | £-90 |
| Public transport pass | £131 | £83 | £-48 |
| Utilities (electric, heating, water) | £158 | £104 | £-54 |
| Total Monthly | £1,814 | £1,161 | £-653 |
* Estimates based on London = 100 index. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and location within city.
Who Should Choose Which City?
Recommendations based on your priorities
- Want higher earning potential (£2,400/mo avg)
- Want lower overall living costs (25% cheaper)
- Are looking for more affordable housing
- Have children (lower childcare costs)
- Work in tech or startups
Quality of Life & Safety
Beyond just costs - what matters for daily life
Quality of Life Score
Quality of Life Score
Safety Score
Safety Score
Salary Equivalence
How much you'd need in Budapest to match a Birmingham salary
| Salary in Birmingham | Equivalent in Budapest | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| £30,000 | £19,286 | £10,714 less |
| £40,000 | £25,714 | £14,286 less |
| £50,000 | £32,143 | £17,857 less |
| £60,000 | £38,571 | £21,429 less |
| £80,000 | £51,429 | £28,571 less |
| £100,000 | £64,286 | £35,714 less |
Birmingham vs Budapest: Summary
The overall cost of living differs by 25%. Budapest is the more affordable option.
Rent: Birmingham has a rent index of 50, while Budapest has 35.
Average Salaries: Birmingham: £2,400/month vs Budapest: £1,350/month (both in GBP).
Out of 6 categories, Birmingham wins 0, while Budapest wins 6.
Compare more cities or calculate your UK take-home pay.