The Czech Republic (Czechia) is situated in the very heart of Europe and is best known for its beautiful and historic capital Prague. In truth, many foreigners might struggle to name another Czech city but there is much more to the country aside from its largest city. Read on to find out about the cheapest places to live in the Czech Republic and best cities for digital nomads and remote workers.
Table of Contents
- 5 of the Best Cities to Live in the Czech Republic & Work Remotely
- What are the Cheapest Cities to Live in the Czech Republic?
5 of the Best Cities to Live in the Czech Republic & Work Remotely
1. Prague
There’s normally a reason why the most visited and best known places are the most popular, and that’s certainly the case with Prague which is unquestionably also one of the best places to live in the Czech Republic. Blessed with a rich history and some of Europe’s finest Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, Prague’s centre is one of the most beautiful and charming in the continent.
It also draws in weekend visitors thanks to its cheap and excellent beer and extensive nightlife scene and this is a good base for anyone who likes to party. Prague is a big hit with Western European visitors thanks to its affordability but it is worth pointing out that the capital is actually the most expensive major city in the Czech Republic and these days is a little pricier than most other Central and Eastern European capitals too.
Prague is more than just a travel destination though. It is something of an economic hub in Central Europe and was even ranked as the best European city for digital nomads and remote workers in 2021. That was largely thanks to its cafe culture and numerous coworking sites on both sides of the Vltava River which winds its way through the heart of the city.
Estimated Living Costs (explanation below) – 900-1450 Euros/month
2. Brno
Czech Republic’s second city is Brno. It is only around a third of the size of Prague but with a population of nearly 400,000, it’s still a lively place with plenty going on, without the tourist crowds that flock into the capital every weekend.
Brno is a green city with loads of parks to relax in and it’s not short on things to see and do either with plenty of theatres and museums while there’s one of Europe’s largest exhibition centres which almost always has something going on. There is no shortage of pubs and bars to kick back in during the evening, but this area of the Czech Republic is best known for its wine rather than its beer, so Brno is certainly a good destination for wine lovers.
Brno also boasts good transport links which makes it easy to get out and explore the areas surrounding the city. Located in the south of the country, close to the borders with Austria and Slovakia, you can reach both Vienna and Bratislava affordably and in less than two hours so you’re not short on travel opportunities here. Vienna Airport is actually closer to Brno than Prague and may be your best bet for flying in and out.
Estimated Living Costs – 800-1250 Euros/month
3. Olomouc
The city with the second largest historical centre in the Czech Republic (after Prague) is Olomouc. It’s located in the east of the country, roughly halfway between Brno and Ostrava.
It is significantly smaller than those two cities with a population of only around 100,000, however its metropolitan population does swell to four times that figure. It’s one of the cheapest places to live in the Czech Republic for students with its 450 year old university forming a significant part of the riverside centre.
Remote workers can also take advantage of the lower living costs, as well as some of the student facilities and it’s a good base for anyone who prefers slightly smaller cities and decent access to nature with highlights including the Rešov Waterfalls, situated roughly 50km north of Olomouc, in one of the most picturesque areas of the country.
Estimated Living Costs – 700-1100 Euros/month
4. Usti nad Labem
At the opposite end of the country, close to the German border, Usti nad Labem is another great option for those looking for both affordability and nature.
It is located close to the massive Bohemian Switzerland National Park which forms part of the border with Germany. It is one of the best natural destinations in the Czech Republic, known for its wild valleys, waterfalls and unique sandstone rock formations.
You can also take advantage of Usti nad Labem’s status as an important river port and railway junction with both Prague and Dresden only a little over an hour away by train while it’s only 3 hours to the German capital Berlin. The other big plus for remote workers is that this is one of the cheapest cities to live in the Czech Republic. Along with nearby Liberec, it’s the most affordable of the 10 largest cities in the country according to our research (see below).
Estimated Living Costs – 650-1000 Euros/month
5. Plzen
Best known for its popular lager that has spread far and wide, Plzen (AKA Pilsen) is a must visit for beer lovers. It is the fourth largest city in the Czech Republic and another solid option for anyone looking to move there to work remotely for a period of time.
Costs are slightly higher than in the previous two cities. You can still save about 50% on accommodation in Plzen when compared to Prague with costs more in line with the average rent in the Czech Republic, but other expenses are closer to that of the capital city which is less than 100 km away by road.
Plzen has a pleasant, walkable centre that’s easy to get around and celebrates a number of festivals throughout the summer months which is definitely the best time to come here. Like most Czech cities though, winters are bitterly cold and the level of English isn’t great so it can be a slightly isolating place for foreigners who stay a long time without any knowledge of Czech.
Estimated Living Costs – 750-1150 Euros/month
Estimated Living Costs Calculation:
The data regarding the estimated cost of living in the Czech Republic per month in this article comes with the help of Numbeo. We have used their cost of living calculator to estimate the living costs in the largest cities in the country (as of May 2022).
The figures are designed to cover the cost of rented accommodation, groceries and general living expenses. The lower figure for each city may be a reasonable estimate of the cost of living in the Czech Republic for international students or those willing to share a flat with others. Those looking to live alone in a private flat or studio or simply lead a really active and social lifestyle, may be wise to look more towards the upper figure.
While the figures are based on real data from people living in the cities, it’s important to note that everyone’s lifestyle, circumstances and expectations are different. Don’t take these figures as anything more than a very rough guide!
They are primarily designed for digital nomads and freelancers working remotely from the Czech Republic and don’t take into account additional expenses such as travel/health insurance which will vary considerably depending on individual circumstances.
What are the Cheapest Cities to Live in the Czech Republic?
The following table shows the estimated cost of living (rent + living costs) in the 10 largest cities in the Czech Republic (by population):
| City | Estimated Cost of Living (Monthly in Euros) |
| Prague | 900-1450 |
| Brno | 800-1250 |
| Hradec Kralove | 800-1250 |
| Pardubice | 750-1200 |
| Ceske Budejovice | 750-1200 |
| Ostrava | 750-1150 |
| Plzen | 750-1150 |
| Olomouc | 700-1100 |
| Liberec | 650-1000 |
| Usti nad Labem | 650-1000 |
As the table demonstrates, the cost of living in Prague is significantly higher than in other Czech cities. Overall though, it is an affordable country to live in and the cost of living in the Czech Republic is certainly less than in neighbouring countries such as Germany and Austria. However you may need to budget slightly more here when comparing Czech cities with the best and cheapest places to live in nearby Poland.
Of the ten largest cities, the best value can be found in the northern cities of Liberec and Usti nad Labem according to this data. You may be able to find better value still by heading into smaller towns and villages but you may also need to brush up on your Czech!
It’s also worth noting that the currency in the Czech Republic is not the Euro but the Czech Koruna. At the time of writing, 1 Euro is roughly equal to 25 Koruna, 1 USD = approx 23 Koruna and £1 = approx 29 Koruna. Consider using digital bank Revolut in the Czech Republic for your banking needs as you can carry a Czech Koruna balance and pay for things in the local currency using their app. Learn more about Revolut for digital nomads!
Danny Holm
Danny is a digital nomad who has travelled extensively in Europe whilst writing about his adventures and closely monitoring his costs. He's a regular writer for nomadguide.eu and has experience of short stays in many of the best and cheapest places to live in Europe whilst working online.
