Budapest region on top

Purchasing power in Hungary has been mapped by GfK Hungária for the sixth time this year. Hévíz, the wealthiest settlement outside Budapest two years ago is now only third with a purchasing power index of 135.8. Budaörs finished in first place (137.3)with Csopak in second place (136.5). The success of Törökbálint and Budaörs is due to the fact that they are practically suburbs of Budapest, where higher income citizens are moving from the city. The other cities in the top five have popular spas frequented by tourists. Four out of the five settlements finishing at the bottom of the list two years ago are still there. Three out of the five poorest villages are located in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county. According to 2008 data, Csenyéte is the poorest village, where purchasing power is only 37.6 percent of the national average. Purchasing power in Budapest is still 35 percent above the average, while Győr-Moson-Sopron county is in second place among counties with an index of 107.4, while Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg is the poorest county with an index of 78.2.