The Cost Of Living In Prague
March 2023: IT professionals show great interest in the Czech Republic, with many choosing to reside in Prague due to the city's attractive combination of higher salary options and comfortable living conditions. Let's estimate the primary expenses one will face in the capital of Czechia!
By the way, we have already covered the basic facts about the Czech climate, language, transport, etc. Read it to get all the necessary information about the country!
According to the Social Progress Index (which analyzes the welfare of society based on social and environmental factors), the Czech Republic ranks 23rd in the world, showing better results than such countries as Cyprus, Portugal, Slovenia, and others. As for the monthly budget for one person, a reputable website Expatistan shows €1900 as the amount of the total expenses. Is it really so?
The first thing everyone wants to know about life in Prague is the prices of food, rent, taxes, etc. We are covering the basics to find out if a Java Developer with a salary of €3500 will be able to live there comfortably.
According to the Social Progress Index (which analyzes the welfare of society based on social and environmental factors), the Czech Republic ranks 23rd in the world, showing better results than such countries as Cyprus, Portugal, Slovenia, and others. As for the monthly budget for one person, a reputable website Expatistan shows €1900 as the amount of the total expenses. Is it really so?
The first thing everyone wants to know about life in Prague is the prices of food, rent, taxes, etc. We are covering the basics to find out if a Java Developer with a salary of €3500 will be able to live there comfortably.
Average Salary
According to the latest data from the portal Platy.cz, the average salary in the capital is €1800 per month.
The highest salaries (excluding managerial positions) are paid to doctors (€1200-3000 and higher), lawyers (up to €2000), and accountants (€1700-2000 on average). Welders earn up to €1100, drivers up to €1000, and waiters up to €700.
Programmers, on average, earn €3000 per month (according to Glassdoor). The most in-demand professionals are C, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript Developers, AI and Cloud Engineers, App Developers, and other specialists.
Cost of Living in Prague: the Most Important Things About Taxes
Corporate income tax is 19%. As for individuals, the income tax amounts to 15-23%. It is obligatory to pay it if you are officially employed, work as a contractor, rent accommodation, etc. A 15% rate is for those who earn up to €6720 per month, and a 23% rate is charged on the amount exceeding this threshold.
You can calculate your net salary in a special online calculator (enter the sum in CZK). A Java Developer earning €3500 gross will get about €2700. For more on taxes, see this article by Accace, an international consulting company.
Rent, Utilities, and Internet
It should be emphasized that Prague's rental expenses are among the highest in the country, particularly in light of the recent influx of relocating people and the corresponding surge in housing demand.
A one-bedroom apartment in a good city area costs about €1120, while a two-bedroom apartment is €1843. Since the real estate market is turbulent due to the increased demand, prices may continue to creep up.
According to the latest data from the portal Platy.cz, the average salary in the capital is €1800 per month.
The highest salaries (excluding managerial positions) are paid to doctors (€1200-3000 and higher), lawyers (up to €2000), and accountants (€1700-2000 on average). Welders earn up to €1100, drivers up to €1000, and waiters up to €700.
Programmers, on average, earn €3000 per month (according to Glassdoor). The most in-demand professionals are C, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript Developers, AI and Cloud Engineers, App Developers, and other specialists.
Cost of Living in Prague: the Most Important Things About Taxes
Corporate income tax is 19%. As for individuals, the income tax amounts to 15-23%. It is obligatory to pay it if you are officially employed, work as a contractor, rent accommodation, etc. A 15% rate is for those who earn up to €6720 per month, and a 23% rate is charged on the amount exceeding this threshold.
You can calculate your net salary in a special online calculator (enter the sum in CZK). A Java Developer earning €3500 gross will get about €2700. For more on taxes, see this article by Accace, an international consulting company.
Rent, Utilities, and Internet
It should be emphasized that Prague's rental expenses are among the highest in the country, particularly in light of the recent influx of relocating people and the corresponding surge in housing demand.
A one-bedroom apartment in a good city area costs about €1120, while a two-bedroom apartment is €1843. Since the real estate market is turbulent due to the increased demand, prices may continue to creep up.
Tips to improve your search results:
1) The farther from the center, the cheaper it is. The whole city is divided into zones: from the 11th begins the "sleeper neighborhoods". The best areas of Prague in terms of infrastructure and entertainment are 1-10.
2) Consider the options in the suburbs and nearby villages. There you can find accommodation with a lower price tag than in the capital and its center.
3) Save a lot by sharing an apartment with other people. You will have your own room, but a kitchen and other areas will be common.
We searched for apartments on Airbnb. Have a look at the options for Booking as well.
The cost of utilities (gas, electricity, water, etc.) can be up to 30% of the rent. According to data from Travel Tables, utilities for an apartment of 85 m2 will cost about €215 per month.
It is customary in the Czech Republic to pay a fixed fee to utility providers, which depends on the number of residents. Once a year there is a recalculation based on the meters. As a result, either the company returns what has been overpaid, or consumers pay the shortfall.
The leading mobile and Internet service providers are O2, T-Mobile, and Vodafone. A telephone and home Internet service costs about €40 per month.
Groceries
It’s cheaper to buy products in supermarkets and cook at home. The most popular stores
are Penny, Albert, Lidl, Billa, Tesco, Kaufland, Globus, etc.
We compiled a basket in the online store called Rohlík. These products are enough for 1-2 people for about a week.
1) The farther from the center, the cheaper it is. The whole city is divided into zones: from the 11th begins the "sleeper neighborhoods". The best areas of Prague in terms of infrastructure and entertainment are 1-10.
2) Consider the options in the suburbs and nearby villages. There you can find accommodation with a lower price tag than in the capital and its center.
3) Save a lot by sharing an apartment with other people. You will have your own room, but a kitchen and other areas will be common.
We searched for apartments on Airbnb. Have a look at the options for Booking as well.
The cost of utilities (gas, electricity, water, etc.) can be up to 30% of the rent. According to data from Travel Tables, utilities for an apartment of 85 m2 will cost about €215 per month.
It is customary in the Czech Republic to pay a fixed fee to utility providers, which depends on the number of residents. Once a year there is a recalculation based on the meters. As a result, either the company returns what has been overpaid, or consumers pay the shortfall.
The leading mobile and Internet service providers are O2, T-Mobile, and Vodafone. A telephone and home Internet service costs about €40 per month.
Groceries
It’s cheaper to buy products in supermarkets and cook at home. The most popular stores
are Penny, Albert, Lidl, Billa, Tesco, Kaufland, Globus, etc.
We compiled a basket in the online store called Rohlík. These products are enough for 1-2 people for about a week.
That's about €55. A budget of €220 will be enough for a month. If you have a family, the costs will increase to €280-320+. It all depends on your lifestyle and eating habits.
By the way, you can go to Rohlík yourself and calculate your food expenses.
The prices in restaurants are reasonable. An order at a mid-level establishment for two people costs about €40 (three courses). At McDonald's, you can get a substantial meal for €8-10 (a set of french fries, a burger, and coca-cola).
Transportation
The Czech Republic has a well-developed system of public transport. In Prague, it is convenient to travel by bus, metro, and tram. It is cheaper to buy a single pass for €42 per month or €320 for a year. It is not tied to a specific person, so any family member can use it (but it is only valid for 1 passenger at a time).
The average price tag of a short taxi ride is €10.
It is convenient to travel between the cities by train/bus or rented car. A trip to Pilsen by train takes about an hour and costs €7-10.
To access the freeways, you need to buy an electronic pass (e-vignette) for about €20 (valid for 30 days). Renting a VW Polo for 24 hours will cost approximately €50 (you can find cheaper and more expensive options). One liter of gasoline is about €1.30.
By the way, you can go to Rohlík yourself and calculate your food expenses.
The prices in restaurants are reasonable. An order at a mid-level establishment for two people costs about €40 (three courses). At McDonald's, you can get a substantial meal for €8-10 (a set of french fries, a burger, and coca-cola).
Transportation
The Czech Republic has a well-developed system of public transport. In Prague, it is convenient to travel by bus, metro, and tram. It is cheaper to buy a single pass for €42 per month or €320 for a year. It is not tied to a specific person, so any family member can use it (but it is only valid for 1 passenger at a time).
The average price tag of a short taxi ride is €10.
It is convenient to travel between the cities by train/bus or rented car. A trip to Pilsen by train takes about an hour and costs €7-10.
To access the freeways, you need to buy an electronic pass (e-vignette) for about €20 (valid for 30 days). Renting a VW Polo for 24 hours will cost approximately €50 (you can find cheaper and more expensive options). One liter of gasoline is about €1.30.
Schools and Kindergartens
When you move, there is no problem getting your children into educational institutions. Kindergartens welcome kids who are 3-6 years old but can also enroll bigger children (7-8 years old).
Public kindergartens are the cheapest options. They cost about €40 per month. Private ones are more expensive. Be prepared to pay at least €330 per month. Whatever you choose, your kids will enjoy an excellent educational program. It includes learning foreign languages, drawing, singing, etc. The adaptation process will be as smooth as possible for your children there.
Public schools are free of charge and private ones cost from €4500 per year. If your kids have already attended school in their home country, they are enrolled for a grade lower. This is necessary for adaptation and learning the language. In the first year, they will not receive marks for such classes as the Czech language and literature.
Leisure Expenses
Sports
A membership in the Next.Move fitness club costs €83 per month, but you can find a cheaper place costing about €30 per month. The indoor pool Šutka (50 m lanes) is open all year round. One session for an adult (60 min) costs about €7, and a monthly pass is €50.
Prague has a well-developed infrastructure for cycling and joggers. The latter is free, but renting a bike for a day is from €15. You can also buy a bike tour for €28 (a 2.5 hour ride).
Personal Care
A 90-minute massage session in Beauty Shape salon is available to you for €63, a business manicure costs €23, and basic make-up is €9.
A haircut for women costs about €35, and for guys from €20. Another popular procedure for men is removing a beer belly. It’s done with the help of a special massage that lasts for 40 minutes and costs €53 (several sessions are required).
Entertainment in Prague
To Sum Up
Let's calculate how much it would cost for a Java Developer to live in Prague.
The salary is €3500. If you consider all taxes, a specialist without kids will get €2700 net. Renting an apartment and paying for utilities and internet will be around €1370 per month (but you can save a lot if you share the apartment with other people). €220 per month should be enough for groceries.
If you add it all up, you get €1590 of fixed expenses. That leaves €1110 a month of free money to spend on clothes, trips around the country, entertainment, furnishing the apartment, etc.
We understand that these calculations are only approximations as everyone's standard of living may differ. Nonetheless, we sincerely hope that we have been helpful in providing you with information about the cost of living in Prague.
Subscribe to our Linkedin and Facebook pages and keep up-to-date with our current vacancies: there are options with relocation or remote work.
When you move, there is no problem getting your children into educational institutions. Kindergartens welcome kids who are 3-6 years old but can also enroll bigger children (7-8 years old).
Public kindergartens are the cheapest options. They cost about €40 per month. Private ones are more expensive. Be prepared to pay at least €330 per month. Whatever you choose, your kids will enjoy an excellent educational program. It includes learning foreign languages, drawing, singing, etc. The adaptation process will be as smooth as possible for your children there.
Public schools are free of charge and private ones cost from €4500 per year. If your kids have already attended school in their home country, they are enrolled for a grade lower. This is necessary for adaptation and learning the language. In the first year, they will not receive marks for such classes as the Czech language and literature.
Leisure Expenses
Sports
A membership in the Next.Move fitness club costs €83 per month, but you can find a cheaper place costing about €30 per month. The indoor pool Šutka (50 m lanes) is open all year round. One session for an adult (60 min) costs about €7, and a monthly pass is €50.
Prague has a well-developed infrastructure for cycling and joggers. The latter is free, but renting a bike for a day is from €15. You can also buy a bike tour for €28 (a 2.5 hour ride).
Personal Care
A 90-minute massage session in Beauty Shape salon is available to you for €63, a business manicure costs €23, and basic make-up is €9.
A haircut for women costs about €35, and for guys from €20. Another popular procedure for men is removing a beer belly. It’s done with the help of a special massage that lasts for 40 minutes and costs €53 (several sessions are required).
Entertainment in Prague
- Watching a movie – €5-20
- City tour – from €50
- Zoo – €11
- Theatre – €35
- Beer tour – €40
- Bowling – from €10 for one hour
- Quest room – from €40
- Shooting club – €100 for 60 minutes (80 shots)
To Sum Up
Let's calculate how much it would cost for a Java Developer to live in Prague.
The salary is €3500. If you consider all taxes, a specialist without kids will get €2700 net. Renting an apartment and paying for utilities and internet will be around €1370 per month (but you can save a lot if you share the apartment with other people). €220 per month should be enough for groceries.
If you add it all up, you get €1590 of fixed expenses. That leaves €1110 a month of free money to spend on clothes, trips around the country, entertainment, furnishing the apartment, etc.
We understand that these calculations are only approximations as everyone's standard of living may differ. Nonetheless, we sincerely hope that we have been helpful in providing you with information about the cost of living in Prague.
Subscribe to our Linkedin and Facebook pages and keep up-to-date with our current vacancies: there are options with relocation or remote work.
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