Hungary vs Italy
Hungary costs roughly 9% less than Italy, though Italy scores higher on healthcare. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Hungary is approximately 9% less expensive than Italy based on cost of living including rent. This makes Hungary a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Hungary has a FIRE Score of 84/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 66.3, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Hungary is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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.
$1,672/mo
Not sure which Hungary visa you qualify for?
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Country Details →
About Italy
Retirees with steady income fare better here than remote workers chasing savings. Rent outside the center runs $660.88/mo, cheap by European standards, but income tax climbing to 43% erodes any freelance upside fast. The Elective Residence Visa requires $2,895/mo in passive income, and citizenship stays complex even after years of residency.
$1,138/mo
Not sure which Italy visa you qualify for?
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
Scroll to compare
| Metric | Hungary | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 1: Normal Precautions | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 144.6 | 151 +6.4 |
| Healthcare Index | 54.3 | 65.1 +10.8 |
| Safety Index | 66.3 +13.2 | 53.1 |
| Cost of Living Index | 46.9 +4.1 | 51 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $752.5 +264.7 | $1,017.2 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,712.3 +920.6 | $3,632.9 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $575.15 +270.02 | $845.17 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $453.7 +207.18 | $660.88 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $985.26 +489.27 | $1,474.53 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $784.12 +307.15 | $1,091.27 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 236.85 Mbps | 285.05 Mbps +48.2 |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Italy. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
Get covered before you move to Italy. Genki Traveler offers insurance designed for nomads and expats.
Get a quote →Compare visa routes
Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths for Hungary and Italy, side by side.
Compare visas →Related Comparisons
Explore Italy
Popular Comparisons
Cities
Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Click any question to expand the answer.