Cost of Living in Bulgaria - Updated Prices & Insights

49.34

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $674 (excluding rent), and $1,186 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,723 (excluding rent), and $2,491 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.74 BGN 19.8

$7.04 BGN 11.88

$17.61 BGN 29.7

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.67 BGN 80.4

$29.79 BGN 50.3

$71.5 BGN 121

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.71 BGN 14.69

$7.55 BGN 12.73

$10.45 BGN 17.63

Cappuccino

$2.34 BGN 3.95

$1.21 BGN 2.03

$3.43 BGN 5.79

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.55 BGN 2.62

$1.12 BGN 1.89

$2.35 BGN 3.96

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.07 BGN 1.81

$0.6 BGN 1.01

$1.79 BGN 3.02

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.33 BGN 3.94

$1.17 BGN 1.97

$3.5 BGN 5.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.04 BGN 5.12

$2.12 BGN 3.58

$4.25 BGN 7.17

Milk (1 liter)

$1.81 BGN 3.05

$1.41 BGN 2.38

$2.14 BGN 3.6

White Bread (500g)

$1.05 BGN 1.78

$0.67 BGN 1.13

$1.8 BGN 3.03

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.16 BGN 3.65

$1.2 BGN 2.02

$3 BGN 5.06

Eggs

$3.41 BGN 5.75

$2.1 BGN 3.53

$4.2 BGN 7.09

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.18 BGN 18.86

$7.12 BGN 12.01

$17.8 BGN 30.02

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.21 BGN 13.86

$4.85 BGN 8.18

$10.9 BGN 18.39

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.35 BGN 20.83

$7.16 BGN 12.09

$17.91 BGN 30.22

Apples (1kg)

$1.63 BGN 2.75

$1.07 BGN 1.8

$2.29 BGN 3.87

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 BGN 3.24

$1.25 BGN 2.1

$2.72 BGN 4.58

Oranges (1kg)

$1.81 BGN 3.05

$1.16 BGN 1.96

$2.9 BGN 4.9

Tomato (1kg)

$2.51 BGN 4.24

$1.44 BGN 2.43

$3.47 BGN 5.86

Potato (1kg)

$1.08 BGN 1.82

$0.57 BGN 0.97

$1.72 BGN 2.9

Onion (1kg)

$1.11 BGN 1.87

$0.6 BGN 1.02

$1.81 BGN 3.06

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.11 BGN 1.87

$0.61 BGN 1.02

$1.82 BGN 3.06

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 BGN 1.22

$0.52 BGN 0.87

$1.22 BGN 2.05

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.84 BGN 6.48

$3.63 BGN 6.12

$4.23 BGN 7.14

Wine (Bottle)

$6.94 BGN 11.7

$4.63 BGN 7.8

$10.41 BGN 17.56

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.07 BGN 1.81

$0.72 BGN 1.21

$1.48 BGN 2.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.76 BGN 2.97

$1.19 BGN 2

$2.37 BGN 4

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.89 BGN 1.51

$0.56 BGN 0.95

$1.12 BGN 1.89

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.11 BGN 49.1

$17.71 BGN 29.88

$34.93 BGN 58.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.46 BGN 2.46

$1.12 BGN 1.88

$1.81 BGN 3.06

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.7 BGN 1.18

$0.55 BGN 0.92

$1.08 BGN 1.82

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$12.59 BGN 21.24

$9.59 BGN 16.18

$16.19 BGN 27.31

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.56 BGN 2.64

$1.5 BGN 2.54

$1.69 BGN 2.85

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$32.5K BGN 54.8K

$29.7K BGN 50.1K

$32.5K BGN 54.8K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.7K BGN 46.7K

$24.4K BGN 41.2K

$33.7K BGN 56.9K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$124 BGN 209

$74.7 BGN 126

$205 BGN 346

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$17.99 BGN 30.34

$12 BGN 20.24

$24 BGN 40.48

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$14.26 BGN 24.05

$10.43 BGN 17.6

$23.19 BGN 39.12

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.49 BGN 59.9

$20.75 BGN 35.01

$53.4 BGN 90

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.84 BGN 26.72

$8.8 BGN 14.84

$23.46 BGN 39.58

Cinema Ticket

$8.71 BGN 14.7

$5.81 BGN 9.8

$11.62 BGN 19.6

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$529 BGN 892

$354 BGN 597

$767 BGN 1,294

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,697 BGN 13K

$4,174 BGN 7,042

$17.9K BGN 30.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.8 BGN 99.2

$29.94 BGN 50.5

$120 BGN 202

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.37 BGN 56.3

$17.59 BGN 29.67

$58.6 BGN 98.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.9 BGN 163

$60.1 BGN 101

$150 BGN 253

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 BGN 172

$50.8 BGN 85.7

$149 BGN 252

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$495 BGN 836

$297 BGN 501

$831 BGN 1,402

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$377 BGN 636

$207 BGN 349

$590 BGN 996

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$875 BGN 1,477

$470 BGN 793

$1,470 BGN 2,479

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$645 BGN 1,088

$359 BGN 606

$1,078 BGN 1,818

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,549 BGN 4,301

$1,320 BGN 2,227

$4,021 BGN 6,783

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,738 BGN 2,932

$1,013 BGN 1,710

$2,802 BGN 4,727

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,152 BGN 1,944

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

3.92

2.8

5.7

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Cost of Living in Bulgaria - Frequently Asked Questions

Bulgaria tends to offer a strong value proposition for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Rents are typically more affordable than in Western Europe, and you can find clean, well-connected neighborhoods outside peak tourist zones at reasonable prices. Food, transit, and services generally stay budget-friendly, with plenty of local options that let you stretch a monthly budget without sacrificing comfort. The Cost of Living in Bulgaria varies by city and neighborhood, but steady infrastructure development supports longer stays and steady wifi in many shared spaces. Seasonal tourism can push prices up briefly in coastal towns, while inland towns stay steadier. Tip: choose neighborhoods with good transit links and short commutes to save time and money.

Daily life centers on practical choices: search housing near reliable transit, test a few groceries from local markets, and mix work-friendly cafes with occasional coworking spaces. In Sofia, Varna, and Plovdiv you will find affordable transit passes and a growing scene for digital nomads, while smaller towns offer quieter routines and tighter budgets. Bulgaria living cost can shift with the season, especially along the coast when tourism peaks. Tip: look for longer leases to lock in steady monthly rates and negotiate utility inclusions to prevent surprises.

Quality of life in Bulgaria combines vibrant history, friendly neighborhoods, and slower tempos that suit you as a remote worker. Build a simple budgeting framework around housing, groceries, utilities, and local leisure. Expect modest but steady costs that rise with coastal seasons and tourism, so plan a monthly buffer for peak months. For neighborhood fit, look for walkable cores with easy transit access, parks, and nearby markets rather than purely tourist areas. Practical savings come from shared accommodation, cooking at home, and taking advantage of municipal events or free cultural offerings. Tip: create a monthly baseline, then add a seasonal adjustment and a small reserve for unexpected repairs or travel.