Makarska vs Budapest
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Makarska is approximately 22% less expensive than Budapest based on cost of living including rent. This makes Makarska a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Makarska has a FIRE Score of 74/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 73.28, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Makarska is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
Side by side
Best in rowCroatia
Makarska
Hungary
Budapest
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Makarska
Makarska is a small-town Adriatic play that rewards anyone who wants sea, safety, and a low cost of living without big-city noise. At $672/mo for a one-bedroom in the center and a cost of living index of 55/100, it undercuts most coastal Europe, though the $3,762/mo income bar for the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa locks out casual remote workers. The expat community is small and English is common mainly in tourist areas, so come for the 82/100 safety index and 35 air quality index, not for a ready-made social scene. Retirees on a budget will find the $1,000/mo Temporary Residence Permit threshold far more forgiving than the nomad route.
About Croatia
Progressive tax up to 36% will sting anyone earning heavily on paper. Retirees living on fixed income near the EUR 1,000/mo threshold sidestep that bracket creep entirely, especially with 1BR rent outside center at just $581.55/mo. Digital nomads face a steeper USD 3,762/mo bar, but a 74.5 safety index and high English proficiency make the paperwork worth it.
Budapest costs roughly 8% less than Makarska. Beyond cost, the two cities are closely matched — lifestyle fit and visa options are likely the deciding factors. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Makarska is approximately 22% less expensive than Budapest based on cost of living including rent. This makes Makarska a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Makarska has a FIRE Score of 74/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 73.28, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Makarska is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Makarska
Makarska is a small-town Adriatic play that rewards anyone who wants sea, safety, and a low cost of living without big-city noise. At $672/mo for a one-bedroom in the center and a cost of living index of 55/100, it undercuts most coastal Europe, though the $3,762/mo income bar for the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa locks out casual remote workers. The expat community is small and English is common mainly in tourist areas, so come for the 82/100 safety index and 35 air quality index, not for a ready-made social scene. Retirees on a budget will find the $1,000/mo Temporary Residence Permit threshold far more forgiving than the nomad route.
About Croatia
Progressive tax up to 36% will sting anyone earning heavily on paper. Retirees living on fixed income near the EUR 1,000/mo threshold sidestep that bracket creep entirely, especially with 1BR rent outside center at just $581.55/mo. Digital nomads face a steeper USD 3,762/mo bar, but a 74.5 safety index and high English proficiency make the paperwork worth it.
$1,741/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Budapest
Budapest is the rare capital where a $818/mo city-center one-bedroom still leaves room in a $1,641/mo average net salary, and the $28/mo transit pass makes car ownership optional. The tradeoff is a humid continental climate with genuinely cold winters and an air quality index of 55, so come for the 89/100 expat and digital nomad scores, not the lungs. With a 20/100 crime index, excellent healthcare, and 500 Mbps internet, it is one of Europe's best-value bases for remote workers and retirees alike.
About Hungary
Hungary offers no retirement visa, so retirees have no dedicated legal pathway despite the appealing 15% flat income tax. Remote workers should look past this: the White Card digital nomad visa only requires USD 3,362/mo income, well within reach for most US remote salaries. Combine that with a $575/mo city center rent and a 66.3 safety index, and the financial case holds even if English proficiency stays medium.
$1,696/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
Compare income thresholds, fees and residency paths for routes in these countries.
Compare visas for these countriesBattle of Lifestyles
Scroll to compare
| Metric | Makarska | Budapest |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $671.84 | $817.66 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $559.87 | $631.44 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $895.79 | $1580 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $783.81 | $1180.82 |
| Safety Index | 73.28 | 66.34 |
| Internet Speed | 50Mbps | 500Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Makarska | Budapest |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $1,255/mo | $1,301/mo |
| Excluding rent | $695/mo | $670/mo |
| Rent | $560/mo | $631/mo |
| Groceries | $218/mo | $160/mo |
| Dining out | $174/mo | $138/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $60.00/mo | $128/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $243/mo | $216/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $28.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
Planning a move to Budapest? Make sure you have the right visa.
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized visa match in under 2 minutes.
Find my visa →Compare any two visa routes.
Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths, side by side. Search by country, including Hungary and Croatia.
Compare visas →Related Comparisons
Explore Hungary
Makarska vs Budapest -- Frequently Asked Questions
Click any question to expand the answer.
Resources for Moving to Budapest
Find hotels in Budapest
Search and compare hotel prices across hundreds of booking sites.
Search hotels →Short-term rentals in Budapest
Browse vacation rentals while you scout neighborhoods for a long-term lease.
Browse rentals →EU health insurance for Hungary
Get comprehensive health coverage valid across Europe.
Get covered →eSIM for Budapest
Get connected the moment you land. No physical SIM needed.
Get eSIM →VPN for secure browsing in Budapest
Protect your data and access geo-restricted content while traveling.
Get NordVPN →