Cost of Living Comparison Between Amman and Sofia Cost of Living Comparison Between Amman and Sofia

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,123 per month in Amman vs $1,373 in Sofia, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,767 per month in Amman vs $2,132 in Sofia, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,412 per month in Amman vs $2,892 in Sofia, rent included.

Amman is about 18% cheaper than Sofia, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Amman sits 16% below the global median, while Sofia is 2% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Amman
Sofia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.93 JOD 4.90
$11.89 BGN 19.78
-41.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.59 JOD 35.10
$50.6 BGN 84.2
-2.05%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.24 JOD 5.12
$8.76 BGN 14.57
-17.35%
Cappuccino
$4.14 JOD 2.93
$2.60 BGN 4.32
59.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51 JOD 0.36
$1.74 BGN 2.89
-70.69%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38 JOD 0.27
$1.43 BGN 2.38
-73.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.62 JOD 3.98
$2.93 BGN 4.88
91.81%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.25 JOD 5.13
$3.23 BGN 5.37
124.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Amman
Sofia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.42 JOD 1.01
$1.94 BGN 3.23
-26.80%
White Bread (500g)
$0.51 JOD 0.36
$1.20 BGN 2.00
-57.50%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.63 JOD 1.15
$1.99 BGN 3.31
-18.09%
Eggs
$2.56 JOD 1.81
$3.82 BGN 6.35
-32.98%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.48 JOD 4.59
$12.54 BGN 20.86
-48.33%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.68 JOD 4.73
$8.74 BGN 14.55
-23.57%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.66 JOD 8.25
$13.29 BGN 22.11
-12.26%
Apples (1kg)
$2.00 JOD 1.41
$1.90 BGN 3.16
5.26%
Banana (1kg)
$1.75 JOD 1.24
$1.90 BGN 3.16
-7.89%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.40 JOD 0.99
$2.00 BGN 3.33
-30.00%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.76 JOD 0.54
$2.84 BGN 4.73
-73.24%
Potato (1kg)
$0.93 JOD 0.66
$1.10 BGN 1.83
-15.45%
Onion (1kg)
$0.69 JOD 0.49
$1.02 BGN 1.69
-32.35%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.62 JOD 0.44
$1.18 BGN 1.96
-47.46%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59 JOD 0.42
$0.66 BGN 1.10
-10.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.56 JOD 2.52
$3.81 BGN 6.33
-6.56%
Wine (Bottle)
$21.01 JOD 14.87
$7.65 BGN 12.73
174.64%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$4.77 JOD 3.38
$1.09 BGN 1.82
337.61%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.28 JOD 3.74
$1.79 BGN 2.98
194.97%
🚌 Getting Around
Amman
Sofia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.77 JOD 0.54
$0.92 BGN 1.53
-16.30%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.74 JOD 30.25
$29.72 BGN 49.45
43.81%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.69 JOD 0.49
$1.49 BGN 2.48
-53.69%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.39 JOD 0.98
$0.76 BGN 1.27
82.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.89 JOD 4.88
$14.34 BGN 23.86
-51.95%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 JOD 1.04
$1.51 BGN 2.51
-2.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6K JOD 18.8K
$32.5K BGN 54.0K
-18.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7K JOD 22.4K
$28.4K BGN 47.3K
11.49%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Amman
Sofia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$106 JOD 74.7
$154 BGN 256
-31.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.80 JOD 11.89
$18.05 BGN 30.04
-6.93%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.25 JOD 22.83
$14.97 BGN 24.90
115.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Amman
Sofia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$55.0 JOD 38.89
$44.03 BGN 73.3
24.80%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$42.58 JOD 30.14
$21.88 BGN 36.40
94.61%
Cinema Ticket
$11.19 JOD 7.92
$9.24 BGN 15.37
21.10%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Amman
Sofia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$276 JOD 195
$624 BGN 1,037
-55.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,297 JOD 3,749
$9,327 BGN 15.5K
-43.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Amman
Sofia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.6 JOD 42.86
$71.3 BGN 119
-15.10%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.2 JOD 40.49
$35.76 BGN 59.5
59.98%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$113 JOD 80.0
$105 BGN 175
7.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.0 JOD 55.9
$119 BGN 198
-33.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Amman
Sofia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$469 JOD 332
$696 BGN 1,157
-32.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$296 JOD 209
$501 BGN 834
-40.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$790 JOD 559
$1,296 BGN 2,157
-39.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$532 JOD 376
$910 BGN 1,513
-41.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,660 JOD 1,175
$4,510 BGN 7,502
-63.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,035 JOD 733
$3,161 BGN 5,258
-67.24%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Amman
Sofia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$694 JOD 491
$1,674 BGN 2,786
-58.56%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.27
3.09
135.28%

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

Last update for Amman: May 30, 2026

Last update for Sofia: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $469 in Amman versus $696 in Sofia. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 141% higher in Sofia, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $50.0 in Amman versus $51.0 in Sofia. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $244 vs $261 – making Amman the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Amman vs Sofia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Amman or Sofia?
Sofia costs about 22% more than Amman, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Amman vs Sofia?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,684 per month in Amman and $2,060 in Sofia. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Amman or Sofia?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Amman, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Amman vs Sofia?
Public transport costs about 44% less in Amman. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Amman and Sofia?
Kindergarten costs $276 per month in Amman and $624 in Sofia. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Amman or Sofia?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Amman, where all-in costs run around $1,123, than in Sofia at $1,373. In Amman it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sofia it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Amman or Sofia?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Amman costs $1,123 versus $1,373 in Sofia. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Amman compared to Sofia?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Amman or Sofia?
If budget matters most, go with Amman. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sofia makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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