Compare countries · Hungary vs Romania
Hungary vs Romania
Hungary(Europe)·
Romania(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Hungary leads on 3, Romania on 8, 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 Romania?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Hungary at 46.9 and Romania at 40.6. Romania is about 13% cheaper overall.
Is Hungary or Romania safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Hungary scores 1.54 and Romania scores 1.79. Hungary ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Hungary or Romania?
On the UN Human Development Index, Hungary scores 0.870 and Romania scores 0.845. Hungary 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 Romania?
GNI per capita runs $23,850 in Hungary against $20,190 in Romania; people live 76.7 years on average against 76.5; Numbeo users rate healthcare 54 against 57. 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
Romania
40.6
Around the global middle
Romania: 13% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Hungary
14.1
Around the global middle
Romania
12.0
Better than 64% of countries
Romania: 15% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Hungary
1.54
Better than 91% of countries
Romania
1.79
Better than 73% of countries
Hungary: more peaceful (1.54 vs 1.79).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Hungary
66.5
Better than 72% of countries
Romania
67.2
Better than 76% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Hungary
0.870
Better than 76% of countries
Romania
0.845
Better than 71% of countries
Hungary: higher human development (0.870 vs 0.845).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Hungary
$49,838
Better than 75% of countries
Romania
$50,895
Better than 76% of countries
Romania: 2% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Hungary
76.7 yrs
Better than 63% of countries
Romania
76.5 yrs
Better than 61% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Hungary
54.2
Worse than 82% of countries
Romania
56.5
Worse than 76% of countries
Romania: better-rated healthcare (56.5 vs 54.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Hungary
249 Mbps
Better than 87% of countries
Romania
273 Mbps
Better than 91% of countries
Romania: 10% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Hungary
60/100
Better than 58% of countries
Romania
68/100
Better than 72% of countries
Romania: freer press (68 vs 60 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Hungary
5.94
Around the global middle
Romania
6.63
Better than 77% of countries
Romania: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.63 vs 5.94).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Hungary
590
Better than 77% of countries
Romania
605
Better than 85% of countries
Romania: stronger English proficiency (605 vs 590).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Hungary
79.8
Around the global middle
Romania
76.3
Worse than 59% of countries
Hungary: more pleasant climate rating (79.8 vs 76.3).
Deciding between Hungary and Romania 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 Romania profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.