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Cost of Living - 2010 Update

Price Conversion Table for Prague Living - February 2010 update

published 20.4.09 |  comments (19) |  post a comment

Written by Lee Croftin      

 

How far will your money stretch in Prague? To help anwer that question we have created an up-to-date table of Prague living costs in Czech, European, British and US currency.

Since our last table was published in March 2009 prices have remained fairly stable, especially when compared to the skyrocketing costs recorded in 2008-2009. As predicted in our previous article, food prices decreased slightly in the past eight months, partly as a result of the big decrease in farmers’ purchase prices early last year. Transport prices have not changed; the big fare increases implemented two years ago have covered inflation since. Accommodation costs have fallen, and it seems that the price of renting outside the center is edging closer to rates in Prague 1/2. The shrinking tourist trade is making an impact on prices, with hotel and hostel rates falling sharply since last spring. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that Czech hoteliers are increasingly willing to bargain.

Since last spring the pound has risen against the koruna, while the dollar and the euro have fallen. Prague is looking less expensive to British visitors, or expats using savings from home, while visitors from America and continental Europe are slightly worse off. According to the Czech Statistical Office consumer confidence has been rising recently, after a long rocky patch.

Although the gap is closing, Prague is still a little cheaper than most European capital cities for essentials such as food and transport. For luxury goods like electrical appliances, cosmetics and fashion, prices are higher here than elsewhere. 

RESTAURANTS CZK EUR GBP USD
Hotdog from Wenceslas Sqare 50 1.92 1.68 2.68
Lunch for one in a pub 130 5.01 4.37 6.98
Dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant 570
22.99 19.18 30.62
Lunch for one in a sandwich bar 70 2.70 2.35 3.76
Combo meal at KFC or McDonald's 105 4.05 3.53 5.64
Coffee and Cake in Central Cafe 100 3.85 3.36 5.37
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) 35 1.32 1.17 1.88
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) 55
2.12 1.85 2.95
A shot of vodka (2 CL) 28 1.08 0.94 1.50
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) 35 1.32 1.17 1.88
Water (0.33 liter bottle) 33 1.27 1.11 1.77
THE SUPERMARKET CZK EUR GBP USD
Milk (1 liter) 18 0.69 0.61 0.96
Loaf of Fresh Bread 21 0.81 0.70 1.12
French Baguette 17
0.65 0.57 0.91
Eggs (6) 18 0.67 0.63 0.91
Cheese (100g) 23 0.88 0.77 1.23
Whole Chicken 55 2.12 1.85 2.95
1 kg Apples (Granny Smiths) 35 1.32 1.17 1.88
Water (1.5 liter bottle) 10 0.38 0.33 0.53
Bottle of Czech Wine 120 4.62 4.03 6.44
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 11 0.42 0.37 0.59
Imported Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 23 0.88 0.77 1.23
Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) 82 3.16 2.76 4.40
Pack of Cigarettes - Czech Brand 63
2.43 2.12
3.38
TRANSPORTATION CZK EUR GBP USD
30 Minute Ticket 18 0.69 0.61 0.96
75 Minute Ticket 26 1.00 0.87 1.39
24-hour Pass 100 3.85 3.36 5.37
5 Day Pass 500 19.28 16.83 26.86
Month Pass 550 21.21 18.51 29.55
Month Pass, Child 130 5.01 4.37 6.98
Month Pass, Student 260 10.03 8.75 13.97
Month Pass, Senior 250 9.64 8.41 13.43
Annual Pass 4,750 185.25 159.94 255.30
Taxi (airport to center) 600 23.14 20.20 32.25
Taxi (within center)  200 7.71 6.73 10.74
ACCOMODATION (Per Month) CZK EUR GBP USD
Room in Flatshare, Prague 1/2 7,000 270.06 235.71 376.32
Room in Flatshare, Outside Centre 6,000  231.48
202.02
322.51
Studio Flat, Prague 1/2 12,000  462.96
404.09 644.98
Studio Flat, Outsider Centre 9,000 347.19 303.04 483.70
Flat (1+1) in Prague 1/2 15,000 578.68 505.04 806.19
Flat (1+1) Outside Centre 13,500 520.84 454.66 725.43
Flat (2+1) in Prague 1/2 21,000 810.15 707.24 1128.53
Flat (2+1) Outside Centre 15,000 578.68 505.04 806.19
4 Star Hotel, Dbl Room (Per Night) 2,500 96.44 84.17 134.40
Hostel, Bed in Dorm (Per Night) 300
11.57 10.10 16.12
UTILITIES, ETC. (Monthly) CZK EUR GBP USD
Basic (Gas, Electricity, etc.) 2,800 108.02 94.29 150.48
Phone (Land Line) 600 23.14 20.20 32.25
Mobile Phone 800 30.86 26.94 42.99
Internet (ADSL) 500 19.28 16.83 26.86


Exchange rates:
1 USD = 18.60 CZK
1 GBP = 29.69 CZK
1 EUR = 25.92 CZK

NOTES: This is a rough guide to prices only and all prices are based on a median.  Prices include VAT (value added tax), which as of January 2010 is 20% full rate, or 10% reduced rate.

he supermarket visited was Interspa at Pankrac. Water was the Czech brand Mattoni, the domestic beer was Gambrinus, and the imported beer Stella Artois.  An inexpensive meal for one was calculated at a main course (a schnizel or goulash), plus potatoes or dumplings, and two beers.  The meal for two at a mid-range restaurant included the soup of the day, main courses, dessert and wine. For accommodation and utilities in particular prices are highly variable and shopping around is advisable.

For a full list of public transportation prices, see: www.dpp.cz.

Article Published 20.4.09 |  Last Updated 2.3.10
Comment from: Bhavesh published 1.3.2010
I am planning to relocate to Czech. I have a job offer with 30Kc per month. Will this be sufficient if I have to pay the rent for 1 room flat in the outskirts of Prague plus the taxes and ofcourse the basic utilities?
Comment from: Sanan published 27.2.2010
Naturelle: This list has been published for years and it's pretty accurate. I've been in PRG for 12 years an have seen the dramatic rise in costs. PNB: 55,000 Kc per month isn't great. Remember that after taxes you'll be taking home about 41,000 Kc (if you claim your child as a dependent). Take off rent and utilities and you're going to be left with a lot. I guess if you're ok not going out with your wife AND if you've got no debts to pay, especially credit cards or student loans, then you'll get by with just the bare minimum. If you're wife will be working, then you can count on that for disposable income. If it's just you, it's not going to be easy. Bottom line... Prague is just as expensive as any other capital city in Western Europe. I suppose one reason salaries are so low here is that Czechs are nowhere near as mobile as citizens of USA, UK, D, F or N and therefore cannot command salaries of their European counterparts. The employers know that due to language barriers, culture, technical knowledge and so on the employment pool will always be full. Trust me, if there was a "brain drain" of Czech talent, companies would have to start paying more. This is slowly changing, but unfortunately not at the pace of increasing cost of living.
Comment from: Pizzaboy published 24.2.2010
Following on from the points about beer... what are the parts of town that are good to stay in to get good local beer at local prices for a weekend trip? Do the P3 and P7 areas still give good access to the centre of town? Can you suggest a street name or landmark for me to look for a hotel near?
Comment from: Leon Barnard published 24.2.2010
To PNB: I would say that 55000 czk per month is not very much for a family of 3. Take out about 30% for taxes and about 15000+ for rent+utilities and you're not left with that much. I wouldn't expect to be able to save much, if at anything, unless you are extremely frugal. Sorry.
Comment from: CokeDrinker published 24.2.2010
I'd like to know where you get 330 ml coke for 35 CZK as they usually sell 200ml bottles for 35 CZK - 39 CZK Also doubt two can have a three course meal including drinks for 570 CZK in a MID PRICE restaurant... can you share which one it was?
Comment from: w published 24.2.2010
55 000 seems like a very good salary. (It's almost two times the mean gross salary in Prague.) Is it net income? It seems you'll be able to save some money if you will be modest. The rent of small 1 room flat depend on the area - it could be around 10 000 or less or more... My personal opinion is that you could be able to spend 10 000 or even less on food for 3 people if you avoid restaurants and cook at home from cheaper food. You'll surely have some other expenses (transportation etc.). My opinion is that you can save up to 25 000 each month, but you need to be lucky to find cheap and suitable accomodation.
Comment from: Lindsay published 23.2.2010
This message is to Ernest....I am moving to Prague in May as well. What are you moving there for, and where are you from??
Comment from: Naturelle published 23.2.2010
I don't see how this table can be considered accurate or useful (in view of the disclaimer at the bottom in the notes). Who is to say this is a true "sampling" of Czech products? If you only visited one supermarket, ate in one restaurant, looked at one brand of water and domestic and imported beer, that in no way can be considered average or a realistic view. Why don't you spend a little more time gathering data to give us an accurate comparison? In spite of that, Pado's and Richh's comments from a year ago are still correct today. I also make about half what I might make in the US for comparable work, even though it's considered an above average salary for CZ. And what with the prices equaling those in the US, I cannot have a similar lifestyle. In case you are wondering, 30,000Kc before taxes is considered a good salary, about average I think for Prague. Your basic needs will definitely be met.
Comment from: PNB published 23.2.2010
I need urgent help on cost of living in Prague. I'm getting offer of around 55000CZK per month. I'm have a family with one 3 yrs old child. Could anybody suggest i much i would be able to save there? 1 room apartment is sufficient for me to stay.
Comment from: Nick published 23.2.2010
Hey I'm moving to Brno to play baseball.. I'm earning about 12000 crown a month.. I have flights accomodation and a car paid for included .. Will 12000 be Enough to live does anyone know?
Comment from: Kirill published 22.2.2010
Rich, just stop going to bars at Staromestka and W. Square, eferything is for tourists there. Try the bars&restaurants in P3 or P7 Much better and the beer is 25-29 :)
Comment from: Ernest published 3.2.2010
I plan to move to Prague during May. I wonder how much I will need to live well. The flat will be paid separately. I then have 30.000 CZK/ month to spend for living. Is this enough??
Comment from: wustpisk published 9.12.2009
In general the more you pay for a beer the poorer the quality and atmosphere. I personally wouldn't pay more than 30 Crowns for a beer - 35 would be an absolute no-no. You just need to go out of the centre a bit away from the rip-off tourist joints where locals wouldn't dream of going and you can even find beer for 18 or 20 easily. Also 50 Crowns for a hot-dog? 12 is more like it! (but maybe on Wenceslas Square they could charge anything...)
Comment from: Andrew Donaldson published 3.11.2009
Why are people surprised to hear half litre of beer is Kc35,- ? We always go to the nice Czech places, like U Parlamentu on Valentinska and other Pilsner Brewery approved restaurants and the beer is this price. Also Hard Rock Cafe in Male Namesti is Kc50, happy hour 17-20 is 2 for 1, We wouldn't be seen dead in the tourist traps and rip-off Irish pubs on Wenceslas Sq!
Comment from: Deesko published 4.8.2009
Thanks for the info. Very useful. One more thing... Would anyone like to hazard a guess on income % needed for comparable living? For example if I earned Ł60k in the UK, and lived in central London, what would I need to earn to have an equivalent lifestyle in Prague? 50% of that? 75%? I know it depends a lot on what sort of life one leads, but a general ball-park figure from someone with experience is probably more reliable than my adding up all the hot-dogs I'm going to buy from Wenceslao Square :-) Cheers
Comment from: Tom published 7.5.2009
Hi there, I'm Dutch and just got a job offer in Prague, salary around €1,200 p/m. Does anybody have any idea whether this is a reasonable offer? Would like to live in a nice neighbourhood and enjoy Prague's night scene.
Comment from: Sanan published 22.4.2009
50-60 Kc. Only at the expat bars or at dance/music clubs. Husa, Kolkovna, and any other good place not catering to English speakers will run 25-40 Kc a half litre. As for saleries, I guess it depends what you do and where you work. There seems to be a huge divide even among expat workers here. You either make an English teacher's salary (quite paltry - speaking from experience) or one where you can actually afford the nicer things in life. I'm also surprised they didn't meantion any hedonistic expenses. Strippers must do pretty well here. $50 a lap dance!!! $10-20 back in Miami. Oh, I do miss Cheetah's.
Comment from: Richh published 21.4.2009
Pado is right, salaries here arent increasing as much as prices, so in reality affordability is worsening here. For example property rental prices are the same as in many parts of the UK, but average salaries are half the amount! Also where did the outhor find a large domestic beer in Prague for 35 Kc? More like 50-60 Kc.
Comment from: Pado published 21.4.2009
The problem is I make less than half as much money here as I would make in the US, so even though on paper the prices are similar I still can't afford to buy as much here. Do you know of anywhere that calculates affordability based on salaries?
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