Cost of living in Czech Republic
If you're planning on relocating from the United Kingdom to Czech Republic it’s important to build a realistic budget based on the cost of living in your chosen destination. The cost of everyday life, from rent and utilities, to childcare and education, tax and other unavoidable costs, can vary enormously based on market forces, the strength of the local economy and government policies.
Read on as we explore key information about the differences in cost of living between Czech Republic & the United Kingdom, focusing on everything from the costs of food, healthcare, entertainment and more.
What contributes to the cost of living between Czech Republic & the United Kingdom?
In this guide we look at differences in cost of living between Czech Republic & the United Kingdom, so you can start to build up a budget to cover your costs when you relocate. Cost of living is highly personalised, and can depend on the things you like to do, food you like to eat, type of home you want to live in, and so on. Naturally, living in a new country with a family, paying for a larger property, education and healthcare, would cost significantly more than an international student looking only to cover basic expenses during a relatively short term stay.
To help you plan your spending we’ve covered different common expenses in Czech Republic such as transport, healthcare, childcare and entertainment. Read on for more detail on each.
Pro tip: Use our international payment comparison tools to work out the best options for you to send international payments to and from Czech Republic & the United Kingdom with low fees and great rates.
Is Czech Republic expensive?
Based on data from Numbeo, the cost of living in Czech Republic is 26.6% lower vs the United Kingdom when you take into account daily spending without rent.
Once you include rent into your calculations, the cost of living in Czech Republic is 30.6% lower vs the United Kingdom.
If you look just at rent, the cost of rent in Czech Republic is 40.5% lower than the United Kingdom.
Your own exact cost of living will depend on many different factors including your lifestyle, hobbies and even health - this guide can help you build up your own budget to live comfortably in your new home.
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Transport in Czech Republic
Getting around will be an important cost to consider when living in Czech Republic. Whether you’re commuting to work, getting to school or travelling for pleasure, the costs of transport can vary widely from country to country, based on fuel and vehicle prices, and the availability of public transport, taxis, and ride hailing services.
| Transport | United Kingdom | Czech Republic | % difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| One way ticket (local transport) | £2.4 (Kč71) | £0.9 (Kč27) | -63.7% |
| Monthly pass (local transport) | £70 (Kč2,079) | £18.5 (Kč549) | -73.6% |
| Taxi start | £3.8 (Kč113) | £1.7 (Kč50) | -55.9% |
| Taxi (1km) | £1.7 (Kč50) | £1.1 (Kč33) | -34.9% |
| Taxi (1 hour waiting) | £20 (Kč594) | £12.1 (Kč359) | -39.6% |
| Gas (1 Litre) | £1.5 (Kč45) | £1.2 (Kč36) | -14.1% |
Utilities (monthly) in Czech Republic
No matter where you choose to live in Czech Republic you’ll need to pay utility bills for electricity, gas, water and other similar services. Utility costs are often dictated, or capped, by government policies, as well as market forces, which can mean that what you pay in one country is quite different to another. Here’s a look at utility costs in Czech Republic as an example.
| Item | United Kingdom | Czech Republic | % difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bills (electricity, gas, water) for 85m2 Apartment | £239.1 (Kč7,102) | £222.9 (Kč6,620) | -6.8% |
| Mobile Phone Contract (Calls and 10GB+ Data) | £12.8 (Kč380) | £20.6 (Kč612) | 61.6% |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data) | £31 (Kč921) | £15.3 (Kč454) | -50.6% |
Grocery costs in Czech Republic
Daily grocery costs and availability changes depending on the country you’re in, with factors like the proportion of foods that are imported making a big difference. When you’re in Czech Republic you’ll need to think about building a suitable food budget for your personal tastes, and based on the costs of items you buy often.
| Item | United Kingdom | Czech Republic | % difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk (1 Litre) | £1.2 (Kč36) | £0.8 (Kč24) | -33.3% |
| Loaf of fresh bread | £1.2 (Kč36) | £1.1 (Kč33) | -11.1% |
| Rice (1kg) | £1.7 (Kč50) | £1.7 (Kč50) | 5.3% |
| 12 eggs (regular) | £3 (Kč89) | £2.2 (Kč65) | -25.3% |
| Local cheese (1kg) | £7.2 (Kč214) | £9 (Kč267) | 24.9% |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | £6.6 (Kč196) | £6.6 (Kč196) | -0.8% |
| Beef (1kg) | £10.4 (Kč309) | £9.5 (Kč282) | -7.9% |
| Apples (1kg) | £2.2 (Kč65) | £1.2 (Kč36) | -43.8% |
| Bananas (1kg) | £1.2 (Kč36) | £1.3 (Kč39) | 6.6% |
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Accommodation in Czech Republic
If you’re moving to Czech Republic you’ll likely need to rent a place to live. No matter where in the world you choose to reside, the costs of rent tend to make up a huge slice of your monthly budget. That said, you can often bring down the overall costs of renting by choosing a less central location or by sharing with others.
| Accommodation | United Kingdom | Czech Republic | % difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) City Centre | £1031.3 (Kč30,631) | £610.2 (Kč18,124) | -40.8% |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of City Centre | £836.9 (Kč24,857) | £495.2 (Kč14,708) | -40.8% |
| Apartment (3 bedroom) City Centre | £1724.4 (Kč51,217) | £1033.2 (Kč30,688) | -40.1% |
| Apartment (3 bedroom) Outside of City Centre | £1358.1 (Kč40,338) | £794.7 (Kč23,604) | -41.5% |
Salaries in Czech Republic
The amount of money you have in your pocket when you’re living in Czech Republic is a function of both the salary you can earn, and the amount of tax you need to pay on your income. As taxes can be structured quite differently from one country to the next it’s crucial to get a realistic idea of the amount you’ll lose in taxes - and so the amount you have for spending - before you move.
| Salary | United Kingdom | Czech Republic | % difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average monthly salary (after tax) | £2373.6 (Kč70,499) | £1219.9 (Kč36,233) | -48.6% |
Education and childcare in Czech Republic
For people moving to Czech Republic with a family, the costs of education and childcare will be an important budget line. Childcare, school fees and university costs can be a huge proportion of your annual budget, particularly when you’re outside of your home country, and may not have access to government funded educational institutions. Here’s a look at some common costs in Czech Republic to help your research.
| Childcare | United Kingdom | Czech Republic | % difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | £1249.9 (Kč37,124) | £401.2 (Kč11,916) | -67.9% |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | £15402.6 (Kč457,480) | £8379.3 (Kč248,878) | -45.6% |
Entertainment and eating out in Czech Republic
Don’t forget to include discretionary spending on entertainment and personal care to your budget for Czech Republic. While your own spending in this area will be unique, planning to have some money for fun activities can help you settle into your new home, make new friends and relax into your new life.
| Entertainment | United Kingdom | Czech Republic | % difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee (1 Adult) | £33.8 (Kč1,004) | £43.5 (Kč1,292) | 28.9% |
| Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend) | £11.4 (Kč339) | £12.4 (Kč368) | 8.7% |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 ticket | £10 (Kč297) | £7.9 (Kč235) | -21.2% |
| Eating out | United Kingdom | Czech Republic | % difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal out (cheap restaurant) | £15 (Kč446) | £6.7 (Kč199) | -55.3% |
| Meal for 2 (mid-range restaurant), 3 courses | £65 (Kč1,931) | £33.6 (Kč998) | -48.4% |
| Meal at McDonalds (or equivalent) | £7.5 (Kč223) | £6.3 (Kč187) | -16.4% |
| Local Beer (0.5 litres) | £5 (Kč149) | £1.7 (Kč50) | -66.5% |
| Imported Beer (0.33 litre) | £2.5 (Kč74) | £1.5 (Kč45) | -40.9% |
| Cappuccino (regular) | £3.4 (Kč101) | £2.3 (Kč68) | -32.9% |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 litre) | £1.8 (Kč53) | £1.3 (Kč39) | -26.4% |
| Water (0.33 litre) | £1.3 (Kč39) | £1.1 (Kč33) | -15.4% |
Exchange rates between the United Kingdom & Czech Republic
Understanding the differences in exchange rate between the United Kingdom & Czech Republic is important to allow you to manage your money across currencies. Looking at historical data and trends for the CZK/GBP exchange rate can help you understand how far your funds will go once you move.
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Conclusion
Understanding the differences in cost of living between Czech Republic & the United Kingdom is important for anyone who plans to relocate - either for a short period of work or study, or on a long term basis. By understanding how different costs may be for day to day essentials, you can plan your budget effectively and make sure you hit the ground running in your new home.
If you live an international lifestyle, our currency conversion and international payment comparison tools are the perfect way to help you manage your money across currencies. Use our guides and calculators to figure out the cheapest and most convenient ways to spend in your new country, and to send international payments to and from Czech Republic & the United Kingdom with low fees and great rates.