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Research · 10 min read · November 25, 2025 · Fact-checked October 7, 2026

Cost of Living Comparison: Western Europe vs Eastern Europe

Moving within Europe often comes down to one practical question: how far will your income go? Price levels differ widely across the continent, and the gap between Western and Eastern Europe is largest for housing and services. This article uses official Eurostat price comparisons rather than crowd-sourced estimates, so you can see the relative differences clearly before you look at specific listings.

How to Read Price Level Indices

Eurostat publishes price level indices (PLIs) each year. They compare the price of the same basket of goods and services across countries, with the EU average set to 100. A country with an index of 130 is about 30% more expensive than the EU average; one with 70 is about 30% cheaper. The figures below are for 2025, published by Eurostat in June 2026.

In 2025, household consumption price levels ranged from 140% of the EU average in Denmark to 63% in Bulgaria. Among the countries Eurostat also covers outside the EU, Switzerland (171) and Iceland (174) were well above any EU member.

CountryOverall household consumptionHousing, water, energyFood and non-alcoholic drinksRestaurants and accommodationPassenger transport services
Switzerland171213156163147
Netherlands11613499120123
France110121107116113
Germany108114102108117
Czechia89107907078
Hungary7867958261
Poland7352908169
Romania6554805976
Bulgaria6341935656

Source: Eurostat, price level indices 2025 (EU27 = 100), rounded.

Housing

Housing shows the largest spread. The Eurostat housing index (which covers rents, water, electricity and heating) was 213 in Switzerland and 134 in the Netherlands, compared with 52 in Poland and 41 in Bulgaria. Czechia is an exception in the east: its housing index of 107 was close to Germany's 114. Prices also vary a lot between capital cities and smaller towns within each country, so national averages are only a starting point.

Tip: Suburbs and smaller cities often offer more space for the same budget, though commuting costs and time should be part of the comparison.

Groceries and Eating Out

Food prices are much closer together than housing. Groceries in Poland, Czechia, Hungary and Bulgaria were priced at roughly 90–95% of the EU average, only slightly below Germany (102). Eating out shows a bigger difference: the restaurants and accommodation index ranged from 163 in Switzerland to between 56 and 82 in the Eastern European countries listed above.

Transport

Passenger transport services, such as public transport and taxis, were priced at 117 in Germany and 123 in the Netherlands, against 61 in Hungary and 69 in Poland. Fuel prices differ less between countries and change often; the European Commission publishes current pump prices for every EU member state in its Weekly Oil Bulletin.

Healthcare

Most European countries combine public healthcare with optional private insurance, but the rules for newcomers, such as registration, waiting periods and which insurance is accepted for a residence permit, differ from country to country. Check the official health ministry or social security information for your destination, and consider international health insurance to cover the period before you are registered.

Income Matters as Much as Prices

Lower prices usually come with lower local wages. In January 2026 the statutory monthly minimum wage, as reported by Eurostat, was €2,343 in Germany, €2,295 in the Netherlands and €1,823 in France, compared with €1,139 in Poland, €924 in Czechia, €838 in Hungary, €795 in Romania and €620 in Bulgaria. If you earn a Western European or remote salary, Eastern Europe can stretch your budget considerably. If you plan to work locally, compare salaries in your field as well as prices.

Choosing Your Destination

  • Language: Check how much you can manage in English for daily life, paperwork and work, and whether you are willing to learn the local language.
  • Job market: Research demand for your skills in the specific country and city, not only the region.
  • Budget: Build a monthly budget with real local quotes for rent, utilities, insurance and schooling, and compare it with your expected income.
  • Visit first: If possible, spend some time in your shortlisted city before committing.

Conclusion

Official data confirms that Eastern Europe is generally cheaper than Western Europe, with the biggest savings on housing, eating out and local services, and smaller savings on groceries. Wages follow a similar pattern, so the best choice depends on where your income comes from. Prices change every year, so check current figures with official sources such as Eurostat and national statistics offices before you decide.

Ready to find your ideal European destination? Take the Switch Horizon questionnaire and discover the right place for your new beginning.

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