Cost of Living in Bulgaria - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bulgaria
Address: BG

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $677 (excluding rent), and $1,173 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,727 (excluding rent), and $2,426 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.75 BGN 19.04

$7.05 BGN 11.42

$17.63 BGN 28.56

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.45 BGN 76.9

$29.66 BGN 48.04

$71.2 BGN 115

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.64 BGN 13.99

$7.48 BGN 12.12

$10.36 BGN 16.79

Cappuccino

$2.35 BGN 3.80

$1.21 BGN 1.96

$3.44 BGN 5.58

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

$1.52 BGN 2.46

$1.09 BGN 1.77

$2.29 BGN 3.71

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.03 BGN 1.68

$0.58 BGN 0.93

$1.73 BGN 2.80

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.32 BGN 3.77

$1.16 BGN 1.88

$3.49 BGN 5.65

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 BGN 4.69

$2.02 BGN 3.28

$4.05 BGN 6.57

Milk (1 liter)

$1.86 BGN 3.02

$1.45 BGN 2.35

$2.20 BGN 3.56

White Bread (500g)

$1.02 BGN 1.66

$0.65 BGN 1.05

$1.74 BGN 2.82

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.08 BGN 3.36

$1.15 BGN 1.86

$2.88 BGN 4.66

Eggs

$3.49 BGN 5.66

$2.15 BGN 3.48

$4.31 BGN 6.97

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.98 BGN 17.78

$6.99 BGN 11.32

$17.47 BGN 28.30

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.23 BGN 13.33

$4.86 BGN 7.87

$10.92 BGN 17.70

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.43 BGN 20.14

$7.21 BGN 11.69

$18.04 BGN 29.22

Apples (1kg)

$1.65 BGN 2.67

$1.08 BGN 1.75

$2.32 BGN 3.76

Banana (1kg)

$1.94 BGN 3.14

$1.25 BGN 2.03

$2.74 BGN 4.43

Oranges (1kg)

$1.85 BGN 3.00

$1.19 BGN 1.92

$2.97 BGN 4.81

Tomato (1kg)

$2.58 BGN 4.18

$1.48 BGN 2.40

$3.57 BGN 5.78

Potato (1kg)

$1.14 BGN 1.85

$0.61 BGN 0.98

$1.82 BGN 2.95

Onion (1kg)

$1.10 BGN 1.78

$0.60 BGN 0.97

$1.81 BGN 2.92

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 BGN 1.70

$0.57 BGN 0.93

$1.72 BGN 2.79

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.73 BGN 1.18

$0.52 BGN 0.84

$1.23 BGN 1.99

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.68 BGN 5.96

$3.47 BGN 5.63

$4.05 BGN 6.57

Wine (Bottle)

$7.09 BGN 11.48

$4.72 BGN 7.65

$11.80 BGN 19.12

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 BGN 1.70

$0.70 BGN 1.14

$1.45 BGN 2.36

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.80 BGN 2.91

$1.21 BGN 1.96

$2.42 BGN 3.93

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 BGN 1.50

$0.58 BGN 0.94

$1.16 BGN 1.88

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.23 BGN 47.35

$17.79 BGN 28.81

$35.08 BGN 56.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.39 BGN 2.25

$1.07 BGN 1.73

$1.73 BGN 2.80

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.68 BGN 1.09

$0.53 BGN 0.86

$1.04 BGN 1.68

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$12.48 BGN 20.22

$9.51 BGN 15.41

$16.05 BGN 26.00

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.56 BGN 2.53

$1.50 BGN 2.44

$1.69 BGN 2.73

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

$31.9K BGN 51.7K

$29.2K BGN 47.3K

$31.9K BGN 51.7K

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

$27.7K BGN 44.9K

$24.5K BGN 39.6K

$33.8K BGN 54.7K

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

$123 BGN 199

$74.2 BGN 120

$204 BGN 330

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

$17.63 BGN 28.57

$11.76 BGN 19.06

$23.53 BGN 38.11

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$14.44 BGN 23.40

$10.57 BGN 17.12

$23.49 BGN 38.05

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.80 BGN 56.4

$20.35 BGN 32.97

$52.3 BGN 84.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.69 BGN 25.42

$8.72 BGN 14.12

$23.24 BGN 37.65

Cinema Ticket

$8.75 BGN 14.17

$5.83 BGN 9.45

$11.66 BGN 18.89

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

$537 BGN 871

$360 BGN 583

$779 BGN 1,263

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,602 BGN 12.3K

$4,123 BGN 6,679

$17.7K BGN 28.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.2 BGN 92.7

$29.14 BGN 47.20

$117 BGN 189

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.07 BGN 53.6

$17.43 BGN 28.24

$58.1 BGN 94.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.2 BGN 154

$59.0 BGN 95.7

$148 BGN 239

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$101 BGN 164

$50.3 BGN 81.4

$148 BGN 240

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$497 BGN 805

$298 BGN 482

$834 BGN 1,351

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$374 BGN 606

$205 BGN 332

$586 BGN 950

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$888 BGN 1,439

$477 BGN 773

$1,492 BGN 2,416

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$637 BGN 1,031

$354 BGN 574

$1,063 BGN 1,722

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,355 BGN 3,815

$1,316 BGN 2,133

$4,787 BGN 7,755

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,569 BGN 2,542

$1,006 BGN 1,630

$2,962 BGN 4,798

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,180 BGN 1,912

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: March 3, 2026

Bulgaria Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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.