Compare countries · Hungary vs Poland
Hungary vs Poland
Hungary(Europe)·
Poland(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Hungary leads on 4, Poland on 7, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Hungary cheaper than Poland?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Hungary at 46.9 and Poland at 47.3. The two are effectively tied (under 2% apart).
Is Hungary or Poland safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Hungary scores 1.54 and Poland scores 1.61. Hungary ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Hungary or Poland?
On the UN Human Development Index, Hungary scores 0.870 and Poland scores 0.906. Poland scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Hungary compared to Poland?
GNI per capita runs $23,850 in Hungary against $25,520 in Poland; people live 76.7 years on average against 78.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 54 against 58. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Hungary
46.9
Worse than 59% of countries
Poland
47.3
Worse than 60% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Hungary
14.1
Around the global middle
Poland
18.4
Worse than 66% of countries
Hungary: 23% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Hungary
1.54
Better than 91% of countries
Poland
1.61
Better than 87% of countries
Hungary: more peaceful (1.54 vs 1.61).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Hungary
66.5
Better than 72% of countries
Poland
71.3
Better than 81% of countries
Poland: higher perceived safety (71.3 vs 66.5).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Hungary
0.870
Better than 76% of countries
Poland
0.906
Better than 82% of countries
Poland: higher human development (0.906 vs 0.870).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Hungary
$49,838
Better than 75% of countries
Poland
$54,262
Better than 79% of countries
Poland: 9% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Hungary
76.7 yrs
Better than 63% of countries
Poland
78.4 yrs
Better than 74% of countries
Poland: 1.7 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Hungary
54.2
Worse than 82% of countries
Poland
57.9
Worse than 70% of countries
Poland: better-rated healthcare (57.9 vs 54.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Hungary
249 Mbps
Better than 87% of countries
Poland
218 Mbps
Better than 83% of countries
Hungary: 14% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Hungary
60/100
Better than 58% of countries
Poland
76/100
Better than 85% of countries
Poland: freer press (76 vs 60 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Hungary
5.94
Around the global middle
Poland
6.77
Better than 84% of countries
Poland: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.77 vs 5.94).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Hungary
590
Better than 77% of countries
Poland
600
Better than 82% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Hungary
79.8
Around the global middle
Poland
75.7
Worse than 61% of countries
Hungary: more pleasant climate rating (79.8 vs 75.7).
Deciding between Hungary and Poland for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Hungary profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Poland profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.