😐A single person spends $938 per month in Bijeljina vs $883 in Zenica, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,480 per month in Bijeljina vs $1,301 in Zenica, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,023 per month in Bijeljina vs $1,718 in Zenica, rent included.
😐Bijeljina costs about 6% more than Zenica, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Bijeljina and Zenica are more affordable than the global median – Bijeljina32% lower, Zenica36% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bijeljina
Zenica
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.76BAM 14.67
$7.29BAM 12.20
20.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.80BAM 59.9
$19.10BAM 31.97
87.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.79BAM 8.02
$4.20BAM 7.03
14.05%
Cappuccino
$1.49BAM 2.49
$1.67BAM 2.80
-10.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.83BAM 3.05
$1.82BAM 3.05
0.55%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09BAM 1.82
$1.27BAM 2.13
-14.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.83BAM 3.06
$2.08BAM 3.49
-12.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39BAM 4.01
$2.04BAM 3.41
17.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bijeljina
Zenica
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65BAM 2.76
$1.30BAM 2.17
26.92%
White Bread(500g)
$1.19BAM 2.00
$0.96BAM 1.61
23.96%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76BAM 2.95
$1.75BAM 2.93
0.57%
Eggs
$3.22BAM 5.39
$2.73BAM 4.58
17.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.01BAM 13.41
$7.91BAM 13.24
1.26%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.37BAM 14.00
$7.28BAM 12.18
14.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.31BAM 20.59
$12.81BAM 21.44
-3.90%
Apples(1kg)
$1.65BAM 2.76
$1.36BAM 2.27
21.32%
Banana(1kg)
$1.92BAM 3.22
$1.67BAM 2.79
14.97%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.89BAM 3.16
$1.54BAM 2.58
22.73%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.70BAM 4.51
$1.92BAM 3.22
40.63%
Potato(1kg)
$1.65BAM 2.77
$1.06BAM 1.77
55.66%
Onion(1kg)
$1.47BAM 2.45
$1.27BAM 2.12
15.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18BAM 1.98
$0.61BAM 1.02
93.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68BAM 1.13
$0.72BAM 1.20
-5.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.99BAM 6.67
$3.63BAM 6.07
9.92%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.65BAM 14.47
$5.83BAM 9.76
48.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.85BAM 1.42
$0.90BAM 1.51
-5.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52BAM 2.54
$1.03BAM 1.72
47.57%
🚌 Getting Around
Bijeljina
Zenica
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.31BAM 3.87
$0.85BAM 1.42
171.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$17.63BAM 29.50
$32.55BAM 54.5
-45.84%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47BAM 2.46
$1.62BAM 2.71
-9.26%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.61BAM 1.02
$0.91BAM 1.52
-32.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.48BAM 17.54
$8.98BAM 15.03
16.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.42BAM 2.38
$1.46BAM 2.45
-2.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.2KBAM 47.2K
$31.1KBAM 52.0K
-9.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.8KBAM 38.1K
$22.6KBAM 37.9K
0.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bijeljina
Zenica
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$144BAM 241
$170BAM 284
-14.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.98BAM 31.77
$19.09BAM 31.95
-0.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.21BAM 40.52
$24.32BAM 40.69
-0.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bijeljina
Zenica
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.74BAM 51.4
$24.55BAM 41.08
25.21%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.70BAM 14.56
$14.75BAM 24.69
-41.02%
Cinema Ticket
$5.13BAM 8.59
$4.85BAM 8.12
5.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bijeljina
Zenica
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$211BAM 352
$150BAM 251
40.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,574BAM 7,655
$3,962BAM 6,631
15.44%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bijeljina
Zenica
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.8BAM 96.7
$51.4BAM 86.0
12.39%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.95BAM 45.11
$31.77BAM 53.2
-15.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$134BAM 224
$95.5BAM 160
40.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126BAM 210
$90.7BAM 152
38.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bijeljina
Zenica
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$261BAM 437
$196BAM 328
33.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$170BAM 285
$149BAM 249
14.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$372BAM 622
$273BAM 457
36.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$294BAM 492
$204BAM 342
44.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,863BAM 3,117
$1,646BAM 2,755
13.17%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,400BAM 2,343
$1,349BAM 2,257
3.82%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bijeljina
Zenica
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$776BAM 1,298
$736BAM 1,231
5.44%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6
3
100.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bijeljina: August 16, 2026
Last update for Zenica: August 16, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $261 in Bijeljina versus $196 in Zenica. 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 5% higher in Bijeljina, 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 $36.00 in Bijeljina versus $19.00 in Zenica. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $237 vs $207 – making Zenica 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
Bijeljina vs Zenica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Bijeljina and in Zenica compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $938 in Bijeljina, $883 in Zenica – roughly 6% apart. Bijeljina costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Bijeljina compared to Zenica?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,407 per month in Bijeljina and $1,325 in Zenica. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Bijeljina and Zenica?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Zenica, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Bijeljina or Zenica?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $938 in Bijeljina and $883 in Zenica. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Bijeljina and in Zenica?
Public transport costs about 85% less in Zenica. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How far does $800 go in Bijeljina compared to Zenica?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $938 in Bijeljina and $883 in Zenica, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Where should families live: Bijeljina or Zenica?
Families tend to lean toward Zenica – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Bijeljina or Zenica safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Bijeljina and Zenica?
If budget matters most, go with Zenica. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bijeljina makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.