Cost of Living in Bulgaria - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bulgaria
Address: BG

Monthly Cost of Living

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $913 including rent across Bulgaria.

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,417 including rent across Bulgaria.

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,921 including rent across Bulgaria.

Living costs in Bulgaria vary widely – from $718 in more affordable cities to $1,381 in major hubs, spanning a $663 range across 44 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.69 BGN 19.45

$7.01 BGN 11.67

$17.53 BGN 29.17

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.13 BGN 78.4

$29.46 BGN 49.01

$70.7 BGN 118

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.66 BGN 14.41

$7.51 BGN 12.49

$10.39 BGN 17.29

Cappuccino

$2.26 BGN 3.76

$1.16 BGN 1.94

$3.31 BGN 5.51

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

$1.51 BGN 2.52

$1.09 BGN 1.81

$2.28 BGN 3.80

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.07 BGN 1.78

$0.60 BGN 0.99

$1.79 BGN 2.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.40 BGN 4.00

$1.20 BGN 2.00

$3.60 BGN 6.00

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.97 BGN 4.93

$2.07 BGN 3.45

$4.15 BGN 6.91

Milk (1 liter)

$1.81 BGN 3.01

$1.41 BGN 2.34

$2.13 BGN 3.55

White Bread (500g)

$1.02 BGN 1.70

$0.65 BGN 1.08

$1.74 BGN 2.89

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.10 BGN 3.50

$1.17 BGN 1.94

$2.91 BGN 4.85

Eggs

$3.40 BGN 5.66

$2.09 BGN 3.48

$4.19 BGN 6.97

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.04 BGN 18.37

$7.03 BGN 11.70

$17.58 BGN 29.25

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.21 BGN 13.65

$4.84 BGN 8.06

$10.89 BGN 18.12

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.12 BGN 20.16

$7.03 BGN 11.70

$17.58 BGN 29.25

Apples (1kg)

$1.64 BGN 2.72

$1.07 BGN 1.78

$2.30 BGN 3.83

Banana (1kg)

$1.99 BGN 3.31

$1.29 BGN 2.14

$2.81 BGN 4.67

Oranges (1kg)

$1.80 BGN 3.00

$1.16 BGN 1.92

$2.89 BGN 4.81

Tomato (1kg)

$2.51 BGN 4.18

$1.44 BGN 2.40

$3.47 BGN 5.78

Potato (1kg)

$1.12 BGN 1.86

$0.60 BGN 0.99

$1.79 BGN 2.97

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 BGN 1.78

$0.58 BGN 0.97

$1.75 BGN 2.91

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 BGN 1.75

$0.57 BGN 0.95

$1.72 BGN 2.86

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.69 BGN 1.15

$0.49 BGN 0.82

$1.16 BGN 1.93

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.67 BGN 6.11

$3.47 BGN 5.77

$4.05 BGN 6.73

Wine (Bottle)

$7.25 BGN 12.06

$4.53 BGN 7.53

$12.08 BGN 20.10

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.07 BGN 1.78

$0.72 BGN 1.20

$1.49 BGN 2.47

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.71 BGN 2.84

$1.15 BGN 1.92

$2.30 BGN 3.83

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.92 BGN 1.54

$0.58 BGN 0.97

$1.16 BGN 1.93

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.93 BGN 49.79

$18.21 BGN 30.30

$35.92 BGN 59.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.38 BGN 2.30

$1.06 BGN 1.77

$1.72 BGN 2.87

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.72 BGN 1.20

$0.56 BGN 0.94

$1.11 BGN 1.84

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$12.18 BGN 20.26

$9.28 BGN 15.43

$15.66 BGN 26.05

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.57 BGN 2.60

$1.50 BGN 2.50

$1.69 BGN 2.81

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

$32.3K BGN 53.7K

$29.6K BGN 49.2K

$32.3K BGN 53.7K

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

$27.8K BGN 46.3K

$24.6K BGN 40.8K

$33.9K BGN 56.4K

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

$123 BGN 205

$74.5 BGN 124

$204 BGN 340

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

$17.99 BGN 29.93

$12.00 BGN 19.96

$24.00 BGN 39.93

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$14.67 BGN 24.41

$10.74 BGN 17.87

$23.86 BGN 39.70

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.02 BGN 59.9

$21.06 BGN 35.04

$54.2 BGN 90.1

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.19 BGN 26.93

$8.99 BGN 14.96

$23.98 BGN 39.89

Cinema Ticket

$8.94 BGN 14.87

$5.96 BGN 9.91

$11.92 BGN 19.83

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

$538 BGN 896

$360 BGN 600

$781 BGN 1,299

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,738 BGN 12.9K

$4,196 BGN 6,981

$18.0K BGN 29.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.0 BGN 94.8

$29.01 BGN 48.26

$116 BGN 193

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.20 BGN 56.9

$18.03 BGN 29.99

$60.1 BGN 100.0

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.7 BGN 161

$60.0 BGN 99.8

$150 BGN 249

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$101 BGN 167

$50.1 BGN 83.3

$147 BGN 245

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$496 BGN 826

$297 BGN 495

$833 BGN 1,385

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$378 BGN 628

$207 BGN 344

$591 BGN 984

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$874 BGN 1,455

$470 BGN 781

$1,468 BGN 2,442

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$634 BGN 1,054

$353 BGN 587

$1,059 BGN 1,761

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,390 BGN 3,976

$1,263 BGN 2,101

$4,757 BGN 7,914

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,709 BGN 2,843

$986 BGN 1,641

$3,481 BGN 5,791

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,167 BGN 1,942

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: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $310 across Bulgaria. For reference, capital rent is $680 in Sofia, and $117 in Kardzhali.

National average salary: $1,073. With average costs at $913, most workers manage but need to budget carefully.

Expect to spend about $218 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $35.00 for two.

In Sofia (capital), expect about $1,381 per month, while Kardzhali offers the lowest costs at $718 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($913) is 32% below the global median of $1,344.

Average rent ($310) is 50% below the global median of $626.

Dining out ($35.00) is 27% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($25.00) is 24% below the global median of $33.00.

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	46	$672	$921	$1,795	$2,007	92.97	69.9
2	Bansko	8000	50	$573	$987	$1,442	$2,062	66.32	85.28
3	Blagoevgrad	75079	39	$569	$791	$1,311	$1,649	55.25	146.72
4	Botevgrad	21241	42	$563	$859	$1,405	$1,795	173.56	50.67
5	Burgas	189741	57	$635	$1,135	$1,801	$2,351	216.63	148.09
6	Dimitrovgrad	49061	38	$537	$783	$1,076	$1,546	23.37	74.52
7	Dobrich	89627	43	$652	$869	$1,568	$1,826	121.79	117.02
8	Dupnica	37081	48	$630	$954	$1,383	$2,038	63.5	112.49
9	Elin Pelin	7200	46	$527	$918	$1,660	$1,923	316.44	152.53
10	Gabrovo	59611	41	$473	$807	$1,416	$1,746	249.1	66.62
11	Gorna Oryahovitsa	40000	48	$670	$951	$1,679	$1,924	65.84	120.5
12	Haskovo	76587	43	$623	$867	$1,384	$1,924	20.7	108.6
13	Kardzhali	49421	36	$556	$718	$1,231	$1,588	179.24	84.1
14	Karlovo	23919	40	$476	$791	$1,077	$1,716	121.06	49.81
15	Kazanlak	49032	44	$514	$851	$1,404	$1,786	28.74	123.53
16	Kyustendil	47640	41	$464	$800	$1,058	$1,659	248	143.97
17	Lovech	37297	53	$629	$1,046	$1,566	$2,133	112.45	92.27
18	Montana	44502	42	$507	$831	$1,566	$1,824	243.83	84.67
19	Pazardzhik	76739	49	$532	$958	$1,476	$1,918	63.15	95.92
20	Pernik	78342	44	$449	$874	$1,266	$1,687	68.84	170.59
21	Pleven	111567	41	$498	$834	$1,299	$1,803	111.83	138.58
22	Plovdiv	368983	55	$623	$1,079	$1,884	$2,325	155.96	145.22
23	Pomorie	13919	47	$679	$938	$1,748	$2,038	92.23	98.36
24	Popovo	15878	44	$613	$882	$1,327	$1,766	60.28	142.75
25	Razgrad	35049	41	$469	$814	$1,442	$1,711	193.82	119.03
26	Ruse	159798	47	$528	$946	$1,438	$1,960	69.91	144.02
27	Samokov	25138	51	$676	$1,026	$1,459	$2,156	30.74	92.64
28	Sandanski	28058	48	$558	$972	$1,656	$2,039	22.55	75.62
29	Shumen	85504	44	$517	$900	$1,612	$1,865	19.31	108.56
30	Silistra	37923	45	$610	$892	$1,522	$1,834	174.3	134.79
31	Sliven	95806	38	$504	$757	$1,199	$1,687	162.28	121.11
32	Smolyan	30507	38	$444	$751	$1,419	$1,625	35.22	59.58
33	Sofia	1286383	70	$815	$1,381	$1,697	$2,849	89.42	190.9
34	Stara Zagora	149266	43	$567	$846	$1,309	$1,811	177.09	88.13
35	Sunny Beach	-	55	$627	$1,098	$1,803	$2,207	114.49	77.47
36	Svishtov	33000	48	$516	$949	$1,307	$1,992	122.87	110.81
37	Targovishte	39578	43	$536	$852	$1,436	$1,890	53.87	100.2
38	Troyan	23422	46	$673	$926	$1,440	$1,951	239.72	88.84
39	Tutrakan	8000	46	$551	$909	$1,661	$1,870	46.69	77.41
40	Varna	348058	61	$718	$1,214	$1,980	$2,564	64.55	173.31
41	Veliko Tarnovo	71150	48	$620	$945	$1,710	$2,053	106.06	146.82
42	Vidin	50977	41	$523	$801	$1,209	$1,772	137.32	66.07
43	Vratsa	60877	47	$545	$919	$1,587	$1,879	61.8	132.75
44	Yambol	76599	42	$481	$845	$1,553	$1,774	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 $718 to $1,381 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. Kardzhali 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.