Prague Singles Have the Least Money Left After Housing Costs Nationwide

People living alone in Prague earn more than those in any other region of the Czech Republic. However, after housing costs are deducted, they are worse off than singles elsewhere in the country. That is according to an analysis by the consultancy Moore Czech Republic.

The median gross wage in Prague is around CZK 52,000. After tax, this leaves a net income of approximately CZK 39,000. At the same time, housing costs in the capital are by far the highest. The rent for a model 65-square-metre flat in Prague averages just under CZK 29,000 per month. That amounts to 74 per cent of the median net wage.

After deducting rent and energy costs, a person living alone in Prague is left with only around CZK 7,000 per month for food, leisure and other expenses. This is the lowest figure of any Czech region. By comparison, singles in the Ústí nad Labem Region have around CZK 15,000 left, according to the analysis – more than twice as much.

Prague has topped the Czech wage rankings for years. The average gross monthly salary there reached CZK 62,723 in 2025. That is 27 per cent higher than the national average and almost 49 per cent higher than in the lowest-paid Karlovy Vary Region.

Housing Consumes the Largest Share of Income

According to the analysis, housing costs are the key factor determining the financial situation of people living alone. While a single person in Prague pays an average of CZK 29,000 for a 65-square-metre flat – around 74 per cent of the median net salary – a comparable flat in the Ústí nad Labem Region costs around CZK 13,000. There, rent accounts for just 42 per cent of the median net salary.

“The figures clearly disprove the stereotype that life in Prague is automatically better,” said Marcela Hrdá, Partner at Moore Czech Republic. While it is generally possible to achieve a very high quality of life in the capital, Prague is particularly challenging for people living alone as long as they have to cover housing costs by themselves.

The situation is more favourable for singles in the Moravian-Silesian Region and the Vysočina Region. In the Moravian-Silesian Region, around CZK 14,500 remains after housing costs, while in the Vysočina Region the figure is around CZK 13,900. Both regions benefit from significantly lower housing costs combined with comparatively stable incomes.

Situation in Prague Expected to Worsen Further

According to the analysis, the situation for people living alone in Prague is likely to deteriorate further. Buying a flat is becoming increasingly unaffordable for singles in the capital. The price per square metre in Prague is around 3.3 to 3.4 times higher than in the Ústí nad Labem and Karlovy Vary regions.

As a result, many people living alone remain dependent on rented accommodation. Since rents continue to rise faster than wages over the long term, the gap between Prague’s nominally high incomes and its actual purchasing power is expected to widen further.