Czechia's second city is a genuine tech and research hub with a huge student population and a fraction of Prague's tourists. Friendly, affordable and 2.5 hours from Vienna.
What it costs to live in Brno
A one-bed runs around EUR 560 a month, roughly 25% below the national baseline for Czechia, which is a large part of why people look here instead of the capital. Across the 60 EU cities we profile, that lands Brno in the middle of the range.
Against a typical net salary in Czechia of about EUR 1,400, that is roughly 40% of take-home pay going on rent alone. City wages usually run above the national figure, so treat this as the cautious end.
What the economy runs on
Software, research, universities.
The combination that makes Brno work for a lot of people is a country that is comfortable with remote and freelance workers paired with rent that does not dominate the budget.
How far English gets you
English works in international offices, with younger people and in the centre of Brno, but shops, tradespeople and anything official will expect Czech.
Brno rates 64/100 for English, broadly in line with Czechia as a whole at 60/100. There is a fuller breakdown on the English in Czechia page.
What day-to-day life leans on
Czechia scores 75/100 for nightlife nationally, though it concentrates heavily in the capital, so treat that as the ceiling rather than what Brno itself offers.
Czechia is landlocked or nearly so, at 0/100 for coastal access, so if you want the sea within reach you will be flying or driving to it.
Worth weighing
Quieter nightlife and fewer international flights.
Brno is the cheapest of the cities we cover in Czechia. For comparison: Prague (about EUR 750 a month).
City picked, country still open? See the full Czechia overview including cost of living, safety, healthcare and the path to residence, or compare Czechia with other EU countries.