Which City is the Right Fit for You?
Brno and Prague are both excellent places to live in. They have their pros and cons. Brno is a university city known for its several educational establishments. The city has its own various impressive features. A very culturally significant landmark in the Czech Republic with a ton going on in entertainment, education and tourism, etc. it does have a safe living environment with high ratings when it comes to various factors. The factors are housing, healthcare, cost of living, etc. However, when you compare Brno to Prague, each has its downsides and upsides. Prague also has a very safe environment to live in. According to various research and polls, the cost of living, healthcare, housing, and safety have high ratings in Prague. The city has a great culture, a good social environment, loads of entertainment, and several job opportunities.
Here is a comparison between Prague and Brno based on various important factors to help you decide which city is better.
1. Crime and Safety comparison :
Both the cities are relatively safe to live in. Nevertheless, here is a precise and statistical analysis of the crime and safety comparison between Prague and Brno. According to Numbeo’s data, over the past three years, the increase in crime rate has been very low in both cities. Brno has a score of 46.53 out of 100 in the increase in crime over the past three years category. This score is considered moderate. Whereas Prague has a score of 41.49 which is again moderate on the scale. Between the two, Prague has the lowest score. So, Prague wins in this category. The level of crime in Brno has a score of 17.61 out of 100 which is considered very low.
On the other hand, Prague has a score of 16.41 on a scale of 0-100. When you compare the two, Prague has the lowest score making it safer to live in with it having a very low level of crime.
When it comes to safety regarding walking alone, both the cities score significantly high. The safety score for Brno in the ‘walking alone during the daylight’ category is 89.79 out of 100 which is very high. Whereas Prague has a score of 92.71 which is considered very high. Among the two cities, Prague is proven to be safer to walk alone during the day. When it comes to the safety score of walking along during the night, Brno scored 68.07 out of 100 which is high. However, Prague scored 75.20 which is considered high too. Out of the two, Prague is considered much safer than Brno when it comes to walking alone during the night.
Also Read: How to Spend Five Days in Prague
2. Healthcare system comparison :
According to a health care survey based on several factors like skill of medical staff, examination, and reports, diagnosis and treatment, satisfaction with cost, location and courtesy of staff, etc. Brno averaged a score of 74.99 on the healthcare system index. Prague scored an average of 74.52 on the healthcare system index. Brno has a slight advantage here but there is barely any difference. Overall, the healthcare system score is high which indicates both cities have a great healthcare system. When it comes to the competency and skill of the medical staff, Brno has a score of 78.51 and Prague has a score of 79.30 which are considered high.
The satisfaction of cost for Brno scored 86.16 which is very high. Whereas, Prague scored 85.52 in satisfaction of cost which is very high on the scale. Both did excellent in this category but Brno has proved to be more cost-efficient in the healthcare system.
Also Read: Different Types Of Visa in Czech Republic
3. Comparison of cost of living in Brno and Prague :
The difference in cost of living in various categories between Brno and Prague is very low.
When you compare Brno and Prague, the consumer prices are 3.53% lower in Brno without rent. Once you include rent, the consumer prices in Brno are lower. To be precise it is 7.68 percent lower compared to Prague. The cost of rent is lower in Brno when compared to Prague. It is 17.15% lower than the cost of rent in Prague. There is a significant difference in the cost of rent between the two cities. Restaurant prices are lower in Brno when you compare it to Prague. According to statistical data, the restaurant prices are 2.91% lower in Brno compared to Prague. The cost of groceries in Brno is lower than that of Prague. To be precise, groceries prices are 5.54% lower in Brno when compared to Prague. The local purchasing power is 7.84% lower in Brno when compared to Prague.
To rent out a one-bedroom apartment in the city center will cost around 765 euros in Prague. Whereas, it will cost around 629 euros in Brno. Making Prague more expensive in terms of renting an apartment.
On the other hand, if you are looking to buy an apartment in the city center of the Czech Republic. The price difference between Brno and Prague is significant. For an apartment in Prague, the price per square meter is around 6,652 euros. Whereas, the price per square meter in Brno for an apartment is around 4,879 euros. There is a difference of 26.65% between the two cities.
Looking at the data, it is more expensive to buy an apartment in Prague when compared to Brno. The average monthly salary after taxes in Prague is around 1,584 euros. While the average monthly salary after taxes in Brno is around 1,317 euros. After comparing the two it can be stated that the average salary after taxes is definitely higher in Prague.
4. Traffic and Commute comparison :
Around 4.98% of people work from home in Prague. And 1.25% of the people work from home in Brno. The main means of transportation for the people of Prague and Brno are walking, bike, car, bus, tram, and train among others. The overall average time taken to travel to school or work in Prague is 32.24 minutes. Whereas the overall average time taken to travel in Brno is 26.08 minutes. Overall average travel distance to school or work in Prague is 11.77 km whereas, in Brno, it is 9.02 km. According to this data, it takes more time to travel to Prague than compared to Brno. Prague being the capital has its downsides and upsides. Around 18% of the population walks as a means of transportation to school or work in Prague. 1.25% of the population in Brno walks to school or work. More people opt for walking in Prague.
Metro is used by over 35% of the people in Prague and 2.50 % of the people in Brno.
There is a significant difference in this category. People in Prague utilize the metro more compared to Brno for traveling. Cars are used by 19.92% of the population in Prague for traveling. On the other hand, 26.25% of the population uses cars in Brno for traveling. According to the traffic index, Prague scored 101.38 and Brno scored 84.22. Traffic index indicates the time consumed by a person in traffic and commute, approximate period consumption dissatisfaction, and overall inefficiencies of the traffic system. This shows that the traffic index score is higher for Prague. The time index in minutes for Prague is 32.34 minutes and 26.08 minutes for Brno. When it comes to the inefficiency index, Prague scored 81.57 and Brno scored 64.67. Hence, shows that Prague scored more than Brno in the inefficiency index.
5. Pollution comparison between Brno and Prague :
The pollution index is measured based on major pollution contributors like air pollution and water pollution. The pollution index is measured on a scale from 0-100 for both Brno and Prague. On a scale from 0-100, Brno scored 43.26 on the pollution index. On the other hand, Prague scored 34.47 which makes Brno more polluted when compared to Prague. If you look at the air pollution data provided by the world health organization, there is not much difference between Brno and Prague. The pollution level is PM 10 for both Brno and Prague which is considered low to moderate. When it comes to cleanliness and tidiness, Brno obtained a high score of 60.91 out of 100. Prague also obtained a high score of 66.80. Whilst comparing the two, it looks like Brno is less polluted in this category.
While in the water quality category, Brno obtained a high score of 64.81 and Prague obtained a score of 73.33. Proving that the water quality is better in Brno. When it comes to ‘comfort in spending time in the city’, Brno got a high score of 75.88 and Prague got a high score of 78.76. This indicates that Brno is more comfortable spending time in the city.
6. Quality of life comparison between Brno and Prague :
The overall quality of life index in Brno is 154.67 whereas the quality of life index in Prague is 159.51. The higher the quality of life index, the better. The quality of life index is an overall estimation of the general quality of life based on factors such as purchasing power index, house price to income ratio, and cost of living index. Other factors included are pollution index, health care index, safety index, traffic commute time index, and climate index.
When it comes to the purchasing power index, Brno has a moderate score of 63.12 whereas Prague has a moderate score of 68.49. This indicates Prague has higher purchasing power when compared to Brno in the Czech Republic. In the safety index category, Brno has a high score of 73.71 and Prague has a high score of 75.89. Proving that Prague is safer when compared to Brno. If you compare the health care index, Brno has a high score of 74.99 and Prague has a high score of 74.52 which indicates Prague is slightly better in healthcare compared to Brno. Whilst comparing the climate index, Brno has a high score of 78.17 and Prague has a very high score of 80.67. indicating that Prague is much better than Brno when it comes to climate.
The cost of living index portrays a low score of 49.15 for Brno and 50.95 for Prague. Brno has a lower cost of living when compared to Prague. The cost of living is inexpensive and more affordable in Brno than in Prague. The traffic commute time index shows that Brno has a very low score of 26.08 and Prague has a low score of 32.34 which indicates that traffic and commute are more efficient in Brno than in Prague. Considering all of the above-mentioned factors, the quality of life index is higher in Prague. Hence, Prague is better in this category when compared to Brno in the Czech Republic.
7. Comparison of food and basics prices between Brno and Prague:
It will cost around 37 euros in Prague for a 2-person meal in a mid-range restaurant for three courses. Whereas, it will cost around 33 euros in Brno for the same. The cost of milk, a loaf of white bread, rice, eggs, local cheese, and many other food items is higher in Prague than in Brno. When it comes to the cost of fruits and vegetables like Apples, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, onion, and lettuce. The price is higher in Prague when compared to Brno. A 1.5-liter bottle of water costs 0.57 euros in Prague while the same costs 0.51 euros in Brno. Water is charged more in Prague when compared to Brno.
While a mid-range bottle of wine costs the same in both cities. One 0.5 liter bottle of domestic beer costs 0.74 euros in Prague and 0.77 euros in Brno respectively. Indicating that beer costs more in Brno when compared to Prague. Whereas a 0.33-liter bottle of imported beer costs 1.39 euros in Prague and 1.41 euros in Brno respectively.
This indicates that imported beer costs more in Brno when compared with Prague.
Basic utilities used monthly such as electricity, heating, water, garbage, and cooling for an 85-square meter apartment will cost around 215 euros in Prague. Whilst it will cost around 202 euros in Brno for the same. Therefore, basic utilities cost more in Prague when compared to Brno in the Czech Republic.
Prague being the capital city of the Czech Republic has its upsides and downsides. The same goes for Brno. Although, Prague is the capital and a very popular tourist destination. This makes it more expensive when it comes to a lot of things.
After analyzing all the data, it seems that both the cities are great to live in.