Rent pressure
Rent is usually the first budget limit. Check it against net income, not gross salary.
Household budget • updated June 2026
Couple monthly budget in Europe
Use this guide before moving together, signing a rental contract or comparing two salaries against one shared monthly budget.
Reviewed: June 2026Budget planning guideUse city-specific prices before decisions
Utilities and bills
Electricity, heating, water and internet can change the real housing cost.
Transport
Commuting time, public transport or car costs can erase the benefit of cheaper rent.
Reserve
A realistic budget should leave money for deposits, medical costs and emergencies.
Monthly budget structure
| Category | What to include |
|---|---|
| Housing | Rent, utilities, internet, deposit and possible setup costs. |
| Daily life | Food, transport, phone, basic health and personal expenses. |
| Longer-term safety | Savings, emergency fund, documents, repairs and moving buffer. |
Choose a local guide
Polska
Open the local guide with rent, utilities and budget context.
Deutschland
Open the local guide with rent, utilities and budget context.
România
Open the local guide with rent, utilities and budget context.
Česko
Open the local guide with rent, utilities and budget context.
España
Open the local guide with rent, utilities and budget context.
Portugal
Open the local guide with rent, utilities and budget context.
Turn the guide into numbers
Use salary, rent, utilities, car cost and affordability tools to test your budget before signing.
Official data and verification
Use the calculator as a planning estimate and verify current figures, definitions and rules with official statistics before making a financial decision.