Renting an apartment in Budapest in 2026: rents by district, budget and steps

How much is rent in Budapest in 2026?

In our portfolio, mostly in the central districts of Pest, average monthly rents are as follows (excluding common charges and utilities):

• Studio (31 m² on average): about HUF 200,000
• 1 bedroom (53 m²): about HUF 245,000
• 2 bedrooms (81 m²): about HUF 345,000
• 3 bedrooms (105 m²): about HUF 460,000
• 4 bedrooms or more (115 m² and up): from HUF 515,000

These averages hide real differences: our rents range from about HUF 150,000 for a small studio to over HUF 700,000 for a large renovated apartment with a view. Condition, floor, lift, balcony and the quality of the furniture often matter as much as the size.

Rents by district

Budapest is divided into districts (kerület), numbered in Roman numerals. Here is the average rent per square metre in the districts where we manage the most apartments:

• District V (Belváros-Lipótváros): about HUF 5,800/m². The historic and administrative heart, near Parliament and the Danube. The most expensive, with few apartments available.
• District VI (Terézváros): about HUF 5,200/m². Andrássy Avenue, the Opera, fine period buildings and a lively neighbourhood.
• District IX (Ferencváros): about HUF 5,100/m². The renovated embankment, the Great Market Hall and Corvinus University. Popular with students and young professionals.
• District VIII (Józsefváros): about HUF 5,000/m². The Palace Quarter (Palotanegyed) around the National Museum, Semmelweis medical university and many renovated apartments. This is where we have the most properties.
• District VII (Erzsébetváros): about HUF 4,750/m². The old Jewish Quarter with its cafés and bars. Central and lively, sometimes noisy at night near the party streets.

For a 60 m² apartment, expect on average between HUF 285,000 and 350,000 a month depending on the district.

What comes on top of the rent

The advertised rent is not always the full cost. Before you commit, check:

• Common charges (*közös költség*): depending on the listing, they are included in the rent or charged separately.
• Utilities: electricity, gas, water and heating are usually paid by the tenant, based on meter readings.
• Internet and TV: to set up yourself or already in place, depending on the apartment.
• Deposit: in our rentals it is two months of rent on average, paid at move-in and returned when you leave, after the check-out inspection.

Every one of our listings shows the rent, charges and deposit separately, so you can compare with confidence.

How renting with Story's works

1. Choose: browse our apartments for rent in Budapest and filter by district, budget, bedrooms, lift or balcony.
2. Visit: request a viewing from the listing. A member of our team will show you the apartment.
3. Book: the lease sets out the term, rent, deposit and how charges are split.
4. Move in: we do the check-in inventory with you, with photos, and read the meters.
5. Live there: if something goes wrong, our tenant help desk lets you send us a request with photos. We reply within one working day.

Already planning to leave? Our guide Preparing to leave your Budapest apartment explains how to get your deposit back.

Our tips for renting in Budapest

• Start looking 4 to 6 weeks before you arrive. The best apartments, especially near the universities, go quickly in August and January.
• Think about heating. In older buildings, ask about the heating type and an estimate of winter bills.
• Check the floor and the lift. Many 19th-century buildings have none, and a 4th floor without a lift changes daily life.
• Read how charges are split in the lease. It is the main source of misunderstandings between tenants and landlords.

Are you a landlord?

These figures also help you set the right rent. Story's handles the whole rental: finding and screening tenants, lease, inventories, rent collection and maintenance. Discover our rental management in Budapest.

Method: averages calculated on 4 November 2026 from the rents of the 89 rental apartments managed by Story's Budapest. They are indications, not a full market study.