Cost of Living in Bulgaria - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bulgaria
Address: BG

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $675 (excluding rent), and $1,183 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,705 (excluding rent), and $2,460 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.74 BGN 19.13

$7.04 BGN 11.48

$17.61 BGN 28.70

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$46.60 BGN 76.0

$29.13 BGN 47.47

$69.9 BGN 114

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.11 BGN 14.85

$7.90 BGN 12.87

$10.93 BGN 17.82

Cappuccino

$2.28 BGN 3.72

$1.17 BGN 1.91

$3.34 BGN 5.45

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

$1.52 BGN 2.47

$1.09 BGN 1.78

$2.29 BGN 3.74

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.05 BGN 1.71

$0.58 BGN 0.95

$1.75 BGN 2.86

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.39 BGN 3.90

$1.20 BGN 1.95

$3.59 BGN 5.85

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.91 BGN 4.74

$2.03 BGN 3.31

$4.07 BGN 6.64

Milk (1 liter)

$1.78 BGN 2.90

$1.39 BGN 2.27

$2.10 BGN 3.43

White Bread (500g)

$1.01 BGN 1.65

$0.64 BGN 1.05

$1.72 BGN 2.81

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.07 BGN 3.38

$1.15 BGN 1.87

$2.87 BGN 4.68

Eggs

$3.50 BGN 5.70

$2.15 BGN 3.50

$4.31 BGN 7.02

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.96 BGN 17.87

$6.98 BGN 11.37

$17.45 BGN 28.44

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.93 BGN 12.93

$4.68 BGN 7.63

$10.53 BGN 17.17

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.15 BGN 19.80

$7.05 BGN 11.49

$17.62 BGN 28.73

Apples (1kg)

$1.65 BGN 2.69

$1.08 BGN 1.76

$2.31 BGN 3.77

Banana (1kg)

$2.01 BGN 3.27

$1.30 BGN 2.12

$2.84 BGN 4.62

Oranges (1kg)

$1.87 BGN 3.04

$1.20 BGN 1.95

$2.99 BGN 4.88

Tomato (1kg)

$2.61 BGN 4.25

$1.50 BGN 2.44

$3.61 BGN 5.88

Potato (1kg)

$1.12 BGN 1.83

$0.60 BGN 0.97

$1.79 BGN 2.92

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 BGN 1.73

$0.58 BGN 0.95

$1.74 BGN 2.84

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.10 BGN 1.79

$0.60 BGN 0.98

$1.80 BGN 2.93

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.67 BGN 1.10

$0.48 BGN 0.78

$1.14 BGN 1.85

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.74 BGN 6.09

$3.53 BGN 5.75

$4.11 BGN 6.71

Wine (Bottle)

$7.27 BGN 11.84

$4.84 BGN 7.89

$12.11 BGN 19.73

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 BGN 1.76

$0.72 BGN 1.18

$1.50 BGN 2.45

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.71 BGN 2.79

$1.15 BGN 1.88

$2.31 BGN 3.76

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.89 BGN 1.46

$0.56 BGN 0.92

$1.12 BGN 1.83

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.31 BGN 47.77

$17.83 BGN 29.07

$35.17 BGN 57.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 BGN 2.29

$1.08 BGN 1.76

$1.75 BGN 2.86

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.68 BGN 1.10

$0.53 BGN 0.86

$1.04 BGN 1.70

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$12.58 BGN 20.51

$9.59 BGN 15.63

$16.18 BGN 26.37

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.57 BGN 2.56

$1.51 BGN 2.46

$1.70 BGN 2.76

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

$31.7K BGN 51.6K

$29.0K BGN 47.2K

$31.7K BGN 51.6K

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

$27.7K BGN 45.2K

$24.5K BGN 39.9K

$33.8K BGN 55.0K

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

$126 BGN 205

$75.9 BGN 124

$208 BGN 339

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

$17.83 BGN 29.07

$11.90 BGN 19.39

$23.79 BGN 38.78

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$14.47 BGN 23.58

$10.59 BGN 17.26

$23.53 BGN 38.35

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.05 BGN 57.1

$20.49 BGN 33.40

$52.7 BGN 85.9

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.74 BGN 25.66

$8.75 BGN 14.26

$23.32 BGN 38.01

Cinema Ticket

$8.73 BGN 14.24

$5.82 BGN 9.49

$11.65 BGN 18.98

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

$539 BGN 879

$361 BGN 588

$782 BGN 1,274

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,729 BGN 12.6K

$4,192 BGN 6,832

$18.0K BGN 29.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.1 BGN 94.7

$29.58 BGN 48.22

$118 BGN 193

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.90 BGN 55.3

$17.87 BGN 29.13

$59.6 BGN 97.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.2 BGN 157

$59.6 BGN 97.2

$149 BGN 243

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$101 BGN 165

$50.4 BGN 82.2

$148 BGN 242

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$492 BGN 802

$295 BGN 481

$826 BGN 1,346

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$375 BGN 611

$205 BGN 335

$587 BGN 956

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$896 BGN 1,461

$481 BGN 785

$1,504 BGN 2,452

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$624 BGN 1,017

$347 BGN 566

$1,042 BGN 1,699

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,376 BGN 3,873

$1,316 BGN 2,144

$4,678 BGN 7,626

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,605 BGN 2,616

$1,022 BGN 1,666

$3,005 BGN 4,899

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,186 BGN 1,934

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.

Last update: January 11, 2026

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.