Last update: Oct 2026 6.8M

Cost of Living in Bulgaria

Name: Bulgaria
Address: BG

Across Bulgaria, living costs for one person average $1,159 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $22 a day.

Compare Destinations Jump to prices

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Bulgaria

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Bulgaria actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $1,159 including rent across Bulgaria.

$1,159 /mo

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,775 including rent across Bulgaria.

$1,775 /mo

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,390 including rent across Bulgaria.

$2,390 /mo

Living costs in Bulgaria vary widely – from $554 in the most affordable city to $1,600 in the most expensive one, spanning a $1,046 range across 44 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.41 BGN 19.86

$6.85 BGN 11.91

$19.97 BGN 34.75

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.05 BGN 78.4

$28.14 BGN 48.97

$88.1 BGN 153

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.38 BGN 18.06

$8.65 BGN 15.05

$12.69 BGN 22.08

Cappuccino

$2.58 BGN 4.49

$1.18 BGN 2.06

$4.62 BGN 8.03

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

$1.62 BGN 2.81

$1.11 BGN 1.93

$2.85 BGN 4.96

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.23 BGN 2.14

$0.82 BGN 1.43

$2.19 BGN 3.80

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.25 BGN 3.91

$1.12 BGN 1.96

$4.39 BGN 7.64

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.34 BGN 5.81

$2.00 BGN 3.48

$5.58 BGN 9.70

Milk (1 liter)

$1.83 BGN 3.18

$1.38 BGN 2.41

$2.26 BGN 3.93

White Bread (500g)

$1.18 BGN 2.05

$0.71 BGN 1.23

$2.30 BGN 4.00

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.26 BGN 3.93

$1.16 BGN 2.03

$3.01 BGN 5.23

Eggs

$3.44 BGN 5.98

$2.04 BGN 3.54

$5.19 BGN 9.03

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.15 BGN 17.67

$6.75 BGN 11.75

$16.53 BGN 28.77

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.99 BGN 13.91

$4.61 BGN 8.02

$11.25 BGN 19.58

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.01 BGN 22.63

$6.68 BGN 11.62

$19.92 BGN 34.67

Apples (1kg)

$1.70 BGN 2.96

$1.02 BGN 1.77

$2.83 BGN 4.92

Banana (1kg)

$2.01 BGN 3.50

$1.29 BGN 2.24

$2.81 BGN 4.88

Oranges (1kg)

$1.83 BGN 3.19

$1.08 BGN 1.88

$2.85 BGN 4.95

Tomato (1kg)

$2.67 BGN 4.65

$1.57 BGN 2.73

$4.38 BGN 7.62

Potato (1kg)

$1.06 BGN 1.84

$0.54 BGN 0.95

$2.18 BGN 3.79

Onion (1kg)

$1.03 BGN 1.79

$0.56 BGN 0.98

$1.70 BGN 2.96

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 BGN 1.85

$0.58 BGN 1.00

$1.73 BGN 3.01

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.71 BGN 1.24

$0.53 BGN 0.92

$1.12 BGN 1.95

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.80 BGN 6.62

$3.35 BGN 5.82

$4.52 BGN 7.87

Wine (Bottle)

$6.68 BGN 11.63

$3.92 BGN 6.83

$11.14 BGN 19.39

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.07 BGN 1.86

$0.68 BGN 1.18

$1.65 BGN 2.87

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.76 BGN 3.06

$1.13 BGN 1.97

$2.90 BGN 5.05

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.87 BGN 1.52

$0.55 BGN 0.96

$1.09 BGN 1.89

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$27.69 BGN 48.18

$16.99 BGN 29.56

$34.01 BGN 59.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.52 BGN 2.64

$1.16 BGN 2.02

$2.33 BGN 4.06

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.73 BGN 1.27

$0.56 BGN 0.97

$1.12 BGN 1.95

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$12.25 BGN 21.31

$10.50 BGN 18.26

$17.47 BGN 30.40

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.61 BGN 2.79

$1.33 BGN 2.32

$1.81 BGN 3.15

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

$30.2K BGN 52.5K

$30.1K BGN 52.4K

$30.2K BGN 52.5K

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

$24.5K BGN 42.7K

$22.7K BGN 39.4K

$27.3K BGN 47.4K

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

$126 BGN 220

$72.5 BGN 126

$227 BGN 396

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

$18.70 BGN 32.54

$11.62 BGN 20.22

$28.41 BGN 49.43

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$14.05 BGN 24.44

$9.10 BGN 15.83

$23.24 BGN 40.43

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.65 BGN 58.6

$17.06 BGN 29.68

$55.6 BGN 96.7

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.06 BGN 31.43

$10.17 BGN 17.69

$27.68 BGN 48.16

Cinema Ticket

$8.53 BGN 14.85

$5.69 BGN 9.89

$11.12 BGN 19.35

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

$567 BGN 986

$343 BGN 597

$1,004 BGN 1,746

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,482 BGN 16.5K

$4,632 BGN 8,060

$15.1K BGN 26.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.4 BGN 102

$27.85 BGN 48.46

$114 BGN 198

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.29 BGN 57.9

$16.98 BGN 29.55

$58.0 BGN 101

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.4 BGN 157

$51.5 BGN 89.6

$132 BGN 229

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$89.7 BGN 156

$46.72 BGN 81.3

$146 BGN 254

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$478 BGN 832

$261 BGN 454

$851 BGN 1,480

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$364 BGN 633

$201 BGN 350

$675 BGN 1,175

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$781 BGN 1,359

$366 BGN 636

$1,650 BGN 2,871

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$579 BGN 1,007

$312 BGN 543

$1,115 BGN 1,940

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,178 BGN 3,791

$1,148 BGN 1,997

$4,531 BGN 7,884

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,601 BGN 2,785

$908 BGN 1,580

$3,332 BGN 5,797

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,129 BGN 1,965

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

3.16

2.5

5.7

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

Last update: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Bulgaria $1,159

Accommodation & Living

$364 31.4%

Groceries & Markets

$244 21%

Eating Out

$183 15.8%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$159 13.7%

Clothing & Footwear

$122 10.6%

Sport & Entertainment

$51 4.4%

Getting Around

$36 3.1%

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $328 in Bulgaria. For reference, capital rent is $770 in Sofia, and $142 in Targovishte.

National average salary: $1,044. With average costs at $1,159, most workers manage but need to budget carefully.

Expect to spend about $213 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $39.00 for two.

In Sofia (capital), expect about $1,600 per month, while Targovishte offers the lowest costs at $554 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($1,159) is 14% below the global median of $1,355.

Average rent ($328) is 51% below the global median of $663.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($39.00) is 19% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($22.00) is 33% below the global median of $33.00.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

14:15 2:15 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

6,795,803

💱 Currency

Bulgarian Lev BGN лв.

📈 Exchange rate

1 BGN = 0.575 USD

1 BGN = 0.511 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

By City in Bulgaria

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Asenovgrad	54778	44	$625	$913	$1,588	$2,007	92.97	69.9
2	Bansko	8000	47	$511	$965	$1,334	$1,998	66.32	85.28
3	Blagoevgrad	75079	41	$493	$836	$1,226	$1,789	55.25	146.72
4	Botevgrad	21241	37	$496	$774	$1,191	$1,679	173.56	50.67
5	Burgas	189741	59	$688	$1,219	$1,733	$2,463	216.63	148.09
6	Dimitrovgrad	49061	43	$538	$877	$1,292	$1,694	23.37	74.52
7	Dobrich	89627	29	$546	$598	$1,325	$1,376	121.79	117.02
8	Dupnica	37081	42	$515	$862	$1,380	$1,875	63.5	112.49
9	Elin Pelin	7200	45	$585	$939	$1,479	$1,979	316.44	152.53
10	Gabrovo	59611	48	$603	$984	$1,453	$1,958	249.1	66.62
11	Gorna Oryahovitsa	40000	46	$598	$955	$1,444	$1,953	65.84	120.5
12	Haskovo	76587	42	$608	$867	$1,573	$1,964	20.7	108.6
13	Kardzhali	49421	32	$481	$658	$1,160	$1,500	179.24	84.1
14	Karlovo	23919	38	$490	$785	$1,235	$1,742	121.06	49.81
15	Kazanlak	49032	43	$562	$885	$1,503	$1,934	28.74	123.53
16	Kyustendil	47640	38	$449	$797	$1,153	$1,654	248	143.97
17	Lovech	37297	47	$618	$968	$1,542	$2,041	112.45	92.27
18	Montana	44502	40	$573	$830	$1,435	$1,840	243.83	84.67
19	Pazardzhik	76739	49	$466	$813	$1,138	$1,260	63.15	95.92
20	Pernik	78342	41	$495	$844	$1,193	$1,286	68.84	170.59
21	Pleven	111567	43	$624	$893	$1,527	$1,956	111.83	138.58
22	Plovdiv	368983	58	$691	$1,191	$1,731	$2,512	155.96	145.22
23	Pomorie	13919	44	$559	$900	$1,444	$1,933	92.23	98.36
24	Popovo	15878	44	$542	$911	$1,329	$1,849	60.28	142.75
25	Razgrad	35049	40	$555	$826	$1,335	$1,713	193.82	119.03
26	Ruse	159798	48	$580	$990	$1,436	$1,949	69.91	144.02
27	Samokov	25138	50	$679	$1,041	$1,708	$2,229	30.74	92.64
28	Sandanski	28058	50	$668	$1,031	$1,682	$2,191	22.55	75.62
29	Shumen	85504	44	$600	$912	$1,467	$1,937	19.31	108.56
30	Silistra	37923	42	$518	$858	$1,254	$1,589	174.3	134.79
31	Sliven	95806	38	$547	$779	$1,344	$1,684	162.28	121.11
32	Smolyan	30507	35	$479	$724	$1,245	$1,591	35.22	59.58
33	Sofia	1286383	78	$841	$1,600	$2,187	$3,380	89.42	190.9
34	Stara Zagora	149266	42	$531	$877	$1,419	$1,906	177.09	88.13
35	Sunny Beach	13347	50	$588	$1,049	$1,500	$2,132	114.49	77.47
36	Svishtov	33000	45	$566	$922	$1,459	$1,970	122.87	110.81
37	Targovishte	39578	27	$497	$554	$1,310	$1,714	53.87	100.2
38	Troyan	23422	54	$704	$1,112	$1,816	$2,369	239.72	88.84
39	Tutrakan	8000	45	$585	$936	$1,472	$1,978	46.69	77.41
40	Varna	348058	68	$758	$1,411	$1,944	$3,035	64.55	173.31
41	Veliko Tarnovo	71150	49	$651	$1,007	$1,625	$2,141	106.06	146.82
42	Vidin	50977	38	$550	$792	$1,400	$1,781	137.32	66.07
43	Vratsa	60877	40	$478	$825	$1,187	$1,680	61.8	132.75
44	Yambol	76599	48	$594	$976	$1,493	$2,100	257.02	91.94

Bulgaria Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 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.

As a lower-cost destination, Bulgaria attracts expats, retirees, and long-term visitors on fixed budgets. Smaller cities are especially wallet-friendly, while bigger centers charge more but remain competitive globally.

As of 2026, living expenses in Bulgaria span $554 to $1,600 monthly. Capitals and tourist hotspots sit at the top end; provincial towns offer substantially cheaper living.

Outside the capital and tourist areas, costs in Bulgaria drop fast. Targovishte is one of the best budget options – lower costs without giving up access to essential services and everyday amenities.

$800 a month goes far in Bulgaria, especially outside the big cities. It's a realistic single-person budget that covers housing, food, transport, and leisure comfortably.

Living in Bulgaria is cheap by global standards. Regional cities offer the best value, with the capital Sofia sitting higher. Low living costs are one of the country's main draws for expats, retirees, and anyone stretching a budget.