Cost of Living In Prague: 2018 Edition

Last year saw expensive butter and a move to make beer cheaper – can you still live in the Czech capital on the cheap?

Expats.cz Staff Jason Pirodsky

Written by Expats.cz Staff,  Jason Pirodsky Published on 08.01.2018 17:52:33 (updated on 08.01.2018) Reading time: 3 minutes

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The year 2017 saw some encouraging data on the cost of living in the Czech Republic: Prague was named Europe’s cheapest culture capital, cheapest date night destination, while the Czech Republic boasts Europe’s cheapest beer, and came in #8 on the InterNations expat survey cost of living ranking.

2017: The Year Butter Prices Skyrocketed

But last year we also saw a spike in the price of several consumer goods including butter by about 20 CZK per 250 g—leading to some rather hilarious memes—as well as the McDonald’s cheeseburger. The Czech media widely reported on the predicted increase of electricity, utilities, rents and even lunch in the Czech capital in 2018.

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Could Beer Get Even Cheaper in 2018?

The good news: Czech beer could get even cheaper, at least if Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has his way. The PM announced a proposed reduction in beer VAT in late 2017.

Whether or not it’s possible to live on the cheap in the Czech capital and beyond is widely discussed in expat circles. We’ve compiled our annual Cost of Living Report as a helpful guide for those considering a move to the Czech Republic or for those already living here and like to compare from year to year (for previous years see here).

Prices reflect an exchange rate given by ČNB as of January 9, 2018.

Note that all prices given are estimates compiled using research from local markets. Prices will vary depending on your location; the center is historically more expensive than Prague outer boroughs.

Ed. note: Due to an oversight an earlier version of this article included several inaccuracies. Prices have since been updated.

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Dining Out

    CZK EUR GBP USD
Big Mac 79 3.09 2.73 3.69
Cheeseburger 29 1.14 1.00 1.36
Slice of pizza 30 1.17 1.04 1.40
Daily lunch special in a restaurant
 120 4.70 4.15 5.61
Fast-food menu 130 5.09 4.49 6.07
Grande coffee from a chain 75 2.94 2.59 3.50
Domestic beer (0.5 l draught) 30 1.17 1.04 1.40
Imported beer (0.33 l bottle) 50 1.96 1.73 2.34
Vodka shot (0.02 l) 70 2.74 2.42 3.27
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 l) 45 1.76 1.56 2.10
Water (0.33 l bottle) 40 1.57 1.38 1.87
Mixed drink in a bar 130 5.09 4.49 6.07

Groceries

    CZK EUR GBP USD
Fresh milk (1 l) 22 0.86 0.76 1.03
UHT milk (1 l) 18 0.70 0.62 0.84
Fresh bread (loaf) 40 1.57 1.38 1.87
Toast bread (500 g) 25 0.98 0.86 1.17
Baguette 18 0.70 0.62 0.84
Butter (250 g) 57 2.23 1.97 2.66
Flour (1 kg) 15 0.59 0.52 0.70
Rice (1 kg) 35 1.37 1.21 1.64
Spaghetti (500 g) 25 0.98 0.86 1.17
Eggs (10-pack) 50 1.96 1.73 2.34
Cheese (100g) 18 0.70 0.62 0.84
Chicken breast (1 kg) 139 5.44 4.80 6.50
Beef sirloin (1 kg) 280 10.96 9.68 13.08
Pork cutlet (1 kg) 120 4.70 4.15 5.61
Apples (1 kg) 35 1.37 1.21 1.64
Still water (1.5 l) 10 0.39 0.35 0.47
Tea (25 bags) 30 1.17 1.04 1.40
Coffee, ground beans (500 g) 240 9.40 8.30 11.21
Coffee, instant (200 g) 179 7.01 6.19 8.36
Domestic beer (0.5 l bottle) 12 0.47 0.41 0.56
Imported beer (0.5 l bottle) 25 0.98 0.86 1.17
Czech wine (0.7 l bottle) 100 3.92 3.46 4.67
Pack of cigarettes 90 3.52 3.11 4.21

Transport

    CZK EUR GBP USD
Limited ticket (30-min) 24 0.94 0.83 1.12
Regular ticket (90-min) 32 1.25 1.11 1.50
24-hour pass 110 4.31 3.80 5.14
3-day pass 310 12.14 10.72 14.49
Monthly pass 550 21.53 19.01 25.70
Monthly pass, student 260 10.18 8.99 12.15
Monthly pass, senior 250 9.79 8.64 11.68
Quarterly pass 1,480 57.95 51.16 69.16
5-month pass 2,450 95.93 84.69 114.49
Annual pass 3,650 142.91 126.17 170.56
Taxi (15-20 km within city) 580 22.71 20.05 27.10
Petrol (1 l) 31 1.21 1.07 1.45

Return Flights

    CZK EUR GBP USD
London 1500 58.73 51.85 70.09
Paris 2,500 97.89 86.42 116.82
New York 9,500 371.97 328.38 443.93

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Accommodation (per month)

    CZK EUR GBP USD
Room in flatshare, Prague center 9,000 352.39 311.10 420.56
Room in flatshare, outside center 5,500 215.35 190.11 257.01
Studio flat, Prague center (30m2) 18,000 704.78 622.19 841.12
Studio flat, outside center (30m2) 11,500 450.27 397.51 537.38
Flat (1+1) Prague center (40m2) 22,000 861.39 760.46 1,028.04
Flat (1+1) outside center (40m2) 12,500 489.43 432.08 584.11
Flat (2+1) Prague center (60m2) 24,000 939.70 829.59 1,121.50
Flat (2+1) outside center (60m2) 18,000 704.78 622.19 841.12
4-star hotel, dbl occupancy (per night) 2,300 90.05 79.50 107.48
Bed in a hostel dorm (per night) 350 13.70 12.10 16.36

Utilities (per month)

    CZK EUR GBP USD
Basic (gas, electricity, water) 2,500 97.89 86.42 116.82
Phone (land line) 400 15.66 13.83 18.69
Mobile phone (no data) 450 17.62 15.55 21.03
Mobile phone (data incl.) 750 29.37 25.92 35.05
Internet (ADSL) 400 15.66 13.83 18.69

Leisure Time

    CZK EUR GBP USD
Cinema ticket 130 5.09 6.07 4.49
Ballet, opera, classical concert 800 31.32 37.38 27.65
Rock, pop, hip hop concert 750 29.37 35.05 25.92
Dance club entry fee 200 7.83 9.35 6,91
Gym membership (monthly) 1,500 58.73 70.09 51.85

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Services

    CZK EUR GBP USD
Private daycare (full-time, per month) 16,000 626.47 553.06 747.66
Babysitter (per hour) 200 7.83 6.91 9.35
Cleaner (per hour) 180 7.05 6.22 8.41
Gardener 250 9.79 8.64 11.68
Women's hairstyling 750 29.37 25.92 35.05
Basic men's trim 120 4.70 4.15 5.61

Clothes

    CZK EUR GBP USD
Jeans/trousers 1,000 39.15 46.73 34.57
T-shirt 300 11.75 14.02 10.37
Dress shirt 400 15.66 18.69 13.83
Casual skirt (high-street brand) 700 27.41 32.71 24.20
Sneakers (brand name) 2,500 97.89 116.82 86.42
Men's dress shoes 1,300 50.90 60.75 44.94
Women's dress shoes 1,400 54.82 65.42 48.39

Electronics and Consumer Goods

    CZK EUR GBP USD
Mobile phone (Android) 3,000 117.46 103.70 140.19
Tablet (Android) 5,000 195.77 172.83 233.64
TV (50-inch / 127 cm) 14,000 548.16 483.93 654.21
Paperback book (in English) 300 11.75 10.37 14.02
Secondhand book (in English) 70 2.74 2.42 3.27

Average monthly salary (before tax)

    CZK EUR GBP USD
Average monthly salary (before tax) 29,050 1,137.43 1,004.15 1357.48

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Mortgage interest rate (in %)

Mortgage interest rate (in %) From 2.19%

* All conversions are based on exchange rates given by ČNB as of 9th January 2018.

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