Cost of Living - 2011 Update

Expats.cz looks at how much does it cost to live in Prague

Ryan Scott

Written by Ryan Scott Published on 20.04.2009 11:29:40 (updated on 20.04.2009) Reading time: 3 minutes

Economy

This is an outdated document for 2011 – Please see our 2015 update here

Even before you’ve considered dealing with the red tape, you might be wondering how far your salary will stretch in the Czech capital. Once again we’ve created an up-to-date table of Prague living costs in Czech, European, British and US currency.

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Since our last table was published for 2010, food prices and transport costs have remained stable. Overall rental prices have risen slightly. According to Mladá Fronta Dnes, rent across the country has gone up on average by 0.58%, even though property prices have dropped. Their average regional prices can be found here (it’s in Czech, and the prices are an overall average.)

Standard hotels have remained about the same. However, looking through this list will turn up some very good bargains (at least at  the time of writing).

The Euro has continued to gradually fall against the Czech Crown. The US Dollar strengthened in the middle of last year only to fall again. At the moment it appears to be increasing in value. By mid 2010 the British Pound had peaked at just above 30 CZK. It is making some gains now.

Given the slight strength of the British and American currencies and general stability of prices, Prague remains fairly inexpensive compared to most European capitals with the exception of consumer items.

RESTAURANTS
CZK
 EUR
 GBP
 USD
Large Sausage from Wenceslas Square 50 2.03 1.70 2.63
Lunch for one in a pub 130 5.29 4.43 6.86
Dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant  550 22.38 18.77 29.02
Lunch for one in a sandwich bar  70 2.85 2.39 3.69
Combo meal at KFC or McDonald’s  105 4.27 3.58 5.54
Coffee and Cake in Central Cafe  100 4.07 3.58 5.54
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)  35 1.42 1.19 1.85
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)  60 2.44 2.05 3.17
A shot of vodka (20 ml)  30 1.22 1.02 1.58
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)  35 1.42 1.19 1.84
Water (0.33 liter bottle)  35 1.42 1.19 1.84

 

THE SUPERMARKET
 CZ EUR
 GBP
 USD
 Milk (1 liter)  15 0.61 0.51  0.79
 Loaf of Fresh Bread (Šumavský) 21 0.88 0.72  1.12
 Loaf of White Sliced Bread 21 0.88 0.72  1.12
 French Baguette (Large) 19 0.80 0.64  1.01
 Eggs (10) 20 0.84 0.68  1.06
 Cheese (100g) – Eidam 15 0.88 0.77  1.23
 Whole Chicken 75 3.05 2.55  3.95
 1kg Apples (Granny Smith) 30 1.22 1.02  1.58
 Water (1.5 liter bottle) 10 0.41 0.34  0.53
 Bottle of Czech Wine 75 3.05 2.55  3.95
 Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 11 0.45 0.38  0.58
 Imported Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 23 0.94 0.80  1.22
 Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) 82 3.36 2.79  4.35
 Pack of Cigarettes – Czech Brand 67 2.75 2.28  3.55

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TRANSPORTATION
 CZK
EUR
 GBP USD
Limited Ticket (20/30 min.) 18 0.73 0.61 0.95
75-Minute Ticket  26 1.06 0.85 1.32
24-hour Pass 100 4.07 3.41 5.28
5-Day Pass 500 20.35 17.05 26.39
Month Pass 550 22.38 18.75 29.04
Month Pass, Child 130 5.29 4.44 6.86
Month Pass, Student  260 10.58 8.87 13.71
Month Pass, Senior 250 10.17 8.52 13.19
Annual Pass 4,750 193.32 162.11 250.66
Taxi (airport to center) 500 20.35 17.05 26.39
Taxi (within center)  200 8.14 6.82 10.56
Liter Petrol (Natural 95) 33.16 1.35 1.13 1.75

A  full list of public transportation prices is here.
        

FLIGHTS
CZK
EUR
GBP
USD
London (All Airports) 4800 195.36 163.82 253.30
Paris (All Airports) 3890 158.32 132.75 205.27
New York (All Airports) 19786 805.29 675.29 1044.11

       

ACCOMODATION (Per Month)
 		CZK
EUR
GBP
USD
Room in Flatshare, Prague 1/2 7,000 284.90 238.91 369,39
Room in Flatshare, Outside Center 6,000 244.20 204.78 316.62
Studio Flat, Prague 1/2 12,150 495.50 414.67 641.16
Studio Flat, Outsider Center  9,100 370.37 310.58 480.21
Flat (1+1) in Prague 1/2 15,200 618.64 518.77 802.11
Flat (1+1) Outside Center  13,650 555.55 465.87 72.31
Flat (2+1) in Prague 1/2 21,500 875.05 733.79 1134.56
Flat (2+1) Outside Center  15,250 620.68 520.58 804.75
4 Star Hotel, Dbl Room (Per Night) 2,580 105 88.05 136.14
Hostel, Bed in Dorm (Per Night) 225 9.16 7.68 11.87

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UTILITIES, ETC. (Monthly) 
 		CZK
EUR
 GBP
 USD
Basic (Gas, Electricity, etc.) 2,500 108.02 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)  600 19.28 16.83 26.86

        
Exchange rates:
1 USD = 18.95 CZK
1 GBP = 29.30 CZK
1 EUR = 24.57 CZK
(As of January 9th 2011)

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

The average costs were taken from the supermarkets Albert Hypermarket and Billa. The water was the Czech brand Dobrá Voda. 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. Remember prices near the tourist centers are maybe 25% to 30% higher than the average.

There are two caveats regarding housing prices and utilities. A number of factors will determine rental price, such as proximity to historical areas, whether the flat is in a modern, old or panel building and the flat’s size. Utilities will depend on heating and the energy efficiency of appliances. Comparing prices is advisable.

Related articles:Employment and Wages in the Czech Republic

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