Cost of Living in Czechia
Prices for household consumption in Czechia were at 82 in 2025, with the EU average at 100, according to Eurostat. Housing and energy were the exception, at 107.1. Households spent an average of CZK 8,897 a month on housing in 2025, and consumer prices were 2.5% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, per ČSÚ.
This page covers what living in Czechia costs, using official figures only: household spending, housing costs and consumer prices from the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ); price levels, harmonized inflation, electricity prices and housing data from Eurostat; and the inflation outlook from the Czech National Bank. Where no official national figure exists, we leave the item out.
Average household spending per person in Czechia by category, 2025
Price levels in Czechia against the EU average, 2023 to 2025
Rent and housing costs
Most people in Czechia own their home. In 2025, 75.1% of people lived in a home their household owned, against 68.5% across the EU, and most owners had no mortgage. 18.8% rented at market price and 6.1% paid a reduced rent or lived rent free.
Rent is the biggest cost for those who rent. In the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ) family accounts survey for 2025, households in a rented home spent CZK 64,357 a year per person on rent. Housing and energy together took 36.7% of renters' spending, CZK 82,054 a year per person. Rents are rising: ČSÚ put rents 6.1% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, counting new and existing contracts.
Across all households, including owners, housing costs averaged CZK 8,897 a month in 2025, 15.9% of net household income, according to ČSÚ's EU-SILC survey. Eurostat puts the share of people whose housing costs take more than 40% of disposable income at 8.2% in 2025, a little above the EU average of 7.6%. For people below the poverty line the figure is 43.4%, against 29.0% in the EU.
| How people live, 2025 | Czechia | EU |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | 75.1% | 68.5% |
| Owner with a mortgage or housing loan | 20.8% | 24.8% |
| Owner without a mortgage or housing loan | 54.3% | 43.7% |
| Tenant | 24.9% | 31.5% |
| Tenant, rent at market price | 18.8% | 20.8% |
| Tenant, reduced rent or rent free | 6.1% | 10.7% |
Prices and inflation
Czechia is cheaper than the EU average overall. Eurostat put household consumption prices at 82 in 2025, with the EU at 100. Restaurants and accommodation were at 69.5, transport at 83.1 and food at 89.8. Housing and energy are the exception: at 107.1, they cost more than the EU average.
Consumer prices were 2.5% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to ČSÚ, up from 1.9% in August. Transport prices rose 13.2%, the largest upward push, with fuels up 37.5%. Electricity was 10.6% cheaper than a year earlier and gas 4.0% cheaper. Services rose 4.6% and goods 1.2%. On the harmonized EU measure (HICP), inflation was 2.2%, against 3.8% in the EU.
The Czech National Bank targets inflation of 2%. Its summer 2026 forecast put inflation at 2.0% for 2026 and 2.5% for 2027, and expected it to stay slightly above the target over most of the forecast period.
| Annual inflation (HICP), September 2026 | Czechia | EU |
|---|---|---|
| All items | +2.2% | +3.8% |
| Actual rents for housing | +6.2% | +2.9% |
| Electricity, gas and other fuels | -5.9% | +8.2% |
| Food and non-alcoholic drinks | -3.8% | +0.6% |
| Transport | +13.1% | +9.7% |
| Restaurants and accommodation | +4.6% | +4.2% |
What households spend
Czech households spent an average of CZK 216,214 per person in 2025, according to ČSÚ's family accounts. Housing and energy take the largest share, 25.0%, CZK 54,042 per person a year. Food follows at 18.5% and transport at 9.8%. The survey leaves out the imputed rent of owners, so the housing share reflects what households actually pay.
Transport, energy and local fees
Households spent CZK 21,218 per person a year on transport in 2025, of which CZK 7,819 went on fuel and CZK 2,203 on public and other passenger transport. Electricity, gas and other fuels cost CZK 23,505 per person a year. Households using 2,500 to 4,999 kWh a year paid CZK 7.01 per kWh in the first half of 2026, all taxes included, 10.6% less than in the second half of 2025. That was still about 102% of the EU average. Water and sewerage cost CZK 2,569 per person a year and waste collection CZK 833. Water prices rose about 3.9% in the year to September 2026. Property tax and public transport fares are set locally.
What it means for pay and hiring
The average gross wage in Czechia was CZK 51,966 a month in the second quarter of 2026, according to ČSÚ, 6.4% more than a year earlier and 4.3% more after inflation. The minimum wage is CZK 22,400 gross a month in 2026 and rises to CZK 24,900 in 2027. Prague is dearer: its households spent CZK 10,872 a month on housing in 2025, a city figure. See cost of living in Prague, our Prague guide, the Czechia minimum wage and our guide to hiring in Czechia for employer costs.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Czechia?
No official national rent per square meter is published. In ČSÚ's 2025 family accounts survey, households in a rented home spent CZK 64,357 a year per person on rent. Rents were 6.1% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier.
How much do households spend in Czechia?
CZK 216,214 per person a year in 2025, according to ČSÚ's family accounts survey. Housing and energy took 25.0%, food 18.5% and transport 9.8%.
Is Czechia cheaper than the rest of the EU?
Overall, yes. Eurostat put household consumption prices at 82 in 2025, with the EU at 100. Restaurants (69.5) and transport (83.1) were well below the EU level, but housing and energy (107.1) were above it.
What is the inflation rate in Czechia?
2.5% in September 2026, according to ČSÚ, and 2.2% on the harmonized measure (HICP). The Czech National Bank's summer 2026 forecast put inflation at 2.0% for 2026 and 2.5% for 2027.
How much do Czech households spend on housing?
CZK 8,897 a month on average in 2025, 15.9% of net household income, according to ČSÚ's EU-SILC survey. Households that rent spent CZK 82,054 a year per person on housing and energy, 36.7% of their spending.
Sources
- ČSÚ, Household consumption expenditure 2025. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- ČSÚ, Table 1b, expenditure groups per person, 2025. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- ČSÚ, Table 2b, expenditure by form of housing, 2025. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- ČSÚ, Table 2a, households by form of housing, 2025. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- ČSÚ, Family accounts methodology notes 2025. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- ČSÚ, Living conditions of households (EU-SILC). Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- ČSÚ, Consumer price indices, September 2026. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- ČSÚ, Average wages, Q2 2026. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- Czech National Bank, CNB forecast, summer 2026. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- Eurostat, HICP annual rates of change (prc_hicp_minr). Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- Eurostat, Price level indices (prc_ppp_ind_1). Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- Eurostat, Housing cost overburden rate (ilc_lvho07a). Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- Eurostat, Population by tenure status (ilc_lvho02). Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- Eurostat, Electricity prices for household consumers (nrg_pc_204). Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- MPSV, Minimum wage. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
